Diabetes Drug vs. Cancer
Study reveals how metformin prevents cancer and suppresses tumor growth
Dubai: A new study by Flinders University has discovered that metformin a common drug to treat type 2 diabetes plays a crucial role in controlling the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
This finding builds on previous observations that metformin use appears to offer some protection against certain cancers in diabetic patients.
Dr. Ayla Orang, lead author of the study from Flinders University's College of Medicine and Public Health, explains, "Our research shows that metformin works by flipping a switch inside cancer cells, slowing down their growth and multiplication."
Diabetes is a common disease that may occur throughout human life and can increase the likelihood of the occurrence of various types of cancer, such as colon, rectum, pancreas, and liver cancers, compared to non-diabetic patients.
MicroRNAs: The guardians within
The study delves into the cellular mechanisms behind metformin's effect. Dr. Orang highlights the role of microRNAs, tiny fragments of RNA that act as regulators within cells. "Metformin appears to boost the levels of specific microRNAs that function like circuit breakers," she explains. "These microRNAs target genes involved in cell growth and division, putting the brakes on cancer cell progression."
The research identified two specific microRNAs, miR-2110 and miR-132-3p, that are amplified by metformin. These microRNAs then target genes like PIK3R3 and STMN1, leading to a significant slowdown in cancer cell growth. This discovery opens exciting possibilities for developing new RNA-based cancer therapies that leverage the power of microRNAs.
A new frontier in cancer treatment
The senior authors of the study, Associate Professor Michael Michael and Professor Janni Petersen emphasize the significance of these findings. "Our research provides a much clearer picture of how metformin disrupts cancer cell growth," says Professor Petersen. "We believe this knowledge can be instrumental in developing new strategies to combat colorectal cancer."
The comprehensive study, "Restricting Colorectal Cancer Cell Metabolism with Metformin: An Integrated Transcriptomics Study," employed advanced techniques to analyze microRNAs and gene expression in colon cancer cells. This deeper understanding of metformin's effects paves the way for further research and potentially groundbreaking new cancer treatments.