Metformin inhibits TGF ‑β1‑induced epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells.

Metformin inhibits TGF‑β1‑induced epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. Oncol Rep. 2020 Jul;44(1):371-381 Authors: Yoshida J, Ishikawa T, Endo Y, Matsumura S, Ota T, Mizushima K, Hirai Y, Oka K, Okayama T, Sakamoto N, Inoue K, Kamada K, Uchiyama K, Takagi T, Naito Y, Itoh Y Abstract Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a crucial event in the development of cancer metastasis. Metformin is a drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recently, increasing evidence has indicated that metformin possesses anti‑tumor activities. However, the effects of metformin on EMT and metastases in pancreatic cancer remain unknown. Thus, the present study investigated whether metformin inhibits EMT of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Pancreatic cancer cells were stimulated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1), an activator of EMT signaling, with or without metformin. After 48 h, the levels of epithelial and mesenchymal markers were evaluated by western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry and RT‑qPCR. Cancer cell migration was evaluated by an in vitro wound healing assay. The cells stimulated with TGF‑β1 acquired an elongated and fusiform morphology, which was inhibited by metformin. The wound healing assay revealed that metformin significantly suppressed the TGF‑β1‑stimulated migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Following treatment with metformin, Eâ€...
Source: Oncology Reports - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Oncol Rep Source Type: research