Radiosensitization mechanism of metformin and analysis of clinical application prospect
Xiong Xin1, Fan Xingwen2
1Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai 200032, China
Abstract：Metformin is the basic drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus. More and more studies have shown that metformin has anti‐tumor effect, and its radiosensitization effect has been gradually found. Metformin can increase the radiosensitivity of tumor cells by improving hypoxia, increasing reactive oxygen species, inhibiting DNA damage repair, inducing cell cycle arrest and regulating immune microenvironment. However, several recently published randomized controlled trials have not confirmed that metformin can increase the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy. In this review, the mechanism and clinical results of metformin radiosensitization were summarized. The dose of metformin will be an important factor for basic and clinical research in the future.
Xiong Xin,Fan Xingwen. Radiosensitization mechanism of metformin and analysis of clinical application prospect[J]. Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology, 2022, 31(10): 966-970.
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