Metformin sensitizes the response of oral squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin treatment through inhibition of NF-κB/HIF-1α signal axis

• DOI: 10.1038/srep35788
• Publication Date: 2016-10-20T09:52:12Z
• Authors: Xiaofeng Qi; Wengguang Xu; Junqi Xie; Yufeng Wang; Shengwei Han; Zheng Wei; Yanhong Ni; Yingchun Dong; Wei Han
• Keywords: Hypoxia

Abstract Resistance towards chemotherapy is a common complication in treatment of oral cancers, which leads to failure and poor outcome. In recent years, growing body evidence has shown that tumour hypoxia significantly contributes chemoresistance. Metformin, widely used hypoglycaemic drug, can reportedly potentiate the efficacy chemotherapeutic drugs various cancers; however, underlying mechanisms are intricate have not been fully understood. this study, we explored role metformin chemosensitivity squamous cell carcinoma cells (OSCC) cisplatin both vitro vivo , attempted elucidate its possible mechanisms. Encouragingly, found synergistically enhanced cytotoxicity reversed chemoresistance certain extent. This mechanism could likely be related with inhibition NF-κB/HIF-1α signal axis lead downregulation hypoxia-regulated genes products. Therefore, serve as chemosensitiser for cisplatin-based regimens OSCC, thereby providing theoretical basis future use cancers.