Metformin Treatment Reduces CRC Aggressiveness in a Glucose-Independent Manner: An <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>Ex Vivo</i> Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, seems to protect against aggressive acquisition in colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, its mechanisms are still really unknown, raising questions about the possibility of its positive impact on non-diabetic patients with CRC. (2) Methods: An in vitro study based on human colon cancer cell lines and an ex vivo study with different colon cancer stages with proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were initiated. (3) Results: Metformin seems to protect from colon cancer invasive acquisition, irrespective of glucose concentration. (4) Conclusions: Metformin could be used as an adjuvant treatment to surgery for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients in order to prevent the acquisition of aggressiveness and, ultimately, recurrences.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• metformin
• glucose levels
• <i>in vitro</i> study
• patients’ cohort