Inhibitory effect of metformin on bone metastasis of cancer via OPG/RANKL/RANK system.
Diabetes and cancer are both serious health problems worldwide and can lead to a significant burden on society with high incidence. Studies show that diabetes, which may be the reason of cancer metastasis, can increase cancer incidence and mortality. Bone is one of the most preferential metastatic target sites for cancers. Studies also indicate that OPG and RANKL which regulate bone reabsorption play significant roles in the process of bone tumor metastasis. In addition, metformin as a commonly used medicine for type 2 diabetes is a negative regulator of RANKL and inhibits the differentiation of osteoclasts. We present a hypothesis that metformin serves an inhibitory effect on bone metastasis of cancer via OPG/RANKL/RANK system.
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Orthopaedic, People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot 010050, China.
Jian
J
Wang
Tian-yu
TY
Chen
Si
S
Qin
Yan
Y
Duan
Gang
G
Wang
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000556:secondary*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000378:metabolism*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*
D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human; D008687:Metformin