Metformin synergistically enhances antiproliferative effects of cisplatin and etoposide in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effectiveness of combining conventional antineoplastic drugs (cisplatin and etoposide) with metformin in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in the NCI-H460 cell line, in order to develop new therapeutic options with high efficacy and low toxicity.


METHODS
We used the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and calculated the combination index for the drugs studied.


RESULTS
We found that the use of metformin as monotherapy reduced the metabolic viability of the cell line studied. Combining metformin with cisplatin or etoposide produced a synergistic effect and was more effective than was the use of cisplatin or etoposide as monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Metformin, due to its independent effects on liver kinase B1, had antiproliferative effects on the NCI-H460 cell line. When metformin was combined with cisplatin or etoposide, the cell death rate was even higher.
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.
Sarah Fernandes
SF
Teixeira
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.
Isabella dos Santos
Idos S
Guimarães
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.
Klesia Pirola
KP
Madeira
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.
Renata Dalmaschio
RD
Daltoé
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Health Sciences Center, Vitória, Brazil.
Ian Victor
IV
Silva
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Health Sciences Center, Vitória, Brazil.
Leticia Batista Azevedo
LB
Rangel
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D005047:Etoposide; D008687:Metformin; D002945:Cisplatin