Research Progress on Mechanisms of Metformin in Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2020.12.003

Abstract

Abstract: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth common cancer in the world. Although therapies have been improved gradually, the 5-year survival rate of patients with HNSCC remains stable at about 63%. Currently, all therapeutic strategies have severe side effects which reduced the quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to find a new therapy with lower toxicity and higher safety. Metformin is a hypoglycemic agent of biguanide class. Researches have shown that the metformin could inhibit the development and progression of HNSCC, in addition to reduce blood glucose. Mechanisms of metformin against HNSCC might include reducing the level of insulin, inhibiting the mTOR pathway and cancer stem cells, inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis and immunomodulation, and enhancing the effect of adjuvant therapies. This article reviews the possible mechanism of metformin against HNSCC based on current available literatures.

Key words: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, metformin, mechanism

ZHANG Shichen, HAN Bing. Research Progress on Mechanisms of Metformin in Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2020, 36(12): 1091-1094.

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