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Effect of metformin on apoptosis induction in ovarian cancer cells
Aneta Rogalska1, Ewa Forma2, Piotr Ciesielski2
1Department of Thermobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Poland.
Introduction:
Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult problems in gynecologic oncology and the search for new drugs effective in the treatment of this kind of cancer, especially in cases resistant to current forms of therapy, remains a challenging priority.
The Aim Of The Study:
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of metformin on apoptosis and the BIRC5 gene expression in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3. The BIRC5 gene encodes survivin protein.
Material And Methods:
SKOV-3 cells were treated with metformin (10 mM). Apoptotic changes in studied cells were analyzed by double staining using a mixture of fluorochromes - Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide (PI). The expression of the BIRC5 gene at the mRNA level was analyzed using the real-time PCR technique.
Results:
Treatment of cells with metformin causes changes in the cell shape from oval to spindle and leads to the separation of the cells from the monolayer. Furthermore, metformin induces apoptosis and necrosis of ovarian cancer cells. A statistically significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells after 48 and 72 hours' treatment with metformin relative to a control cells seems to be correlated with a decrease in the expression of the BIRC5 gene at the mRNA level.
Conclusions:
Metformin seems to be a promising agent, whose use in ovarian cancer patients may contribute to improving the effectiveness of therapy.
Insights
Metformin treatment significantly increases apoptosis and necrosis in ovarian cancer cells. This is associated with a decrease in BIRC5 gene expression, suggesting metformin
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Molecular Oncology
- Cancer Cell Biology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer presents significant challenges in gynecologic oncology.
- Developing novel therapies for treatment-resistant ovarian cancer is a critical priority.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of metformin on apoptosis in the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line.
- To analyze the impact of metformin on BIRC5 gene expression, which encodes survivin protein.
Main Methods:
- SKOV-3 cells were treated with 10 mM metformin.
- Apoptosis was assessed using Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide double staining.
- BIRC5 gene expression was quantified at the mRNA level via real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Metformin induced morphological changes, including cell elongation and detachment.
- A significant increase in apoptosis and necrosis was observed after 48 and 72 hours of metformin treatment.
- A correlated decrease in BIRC5 mRNA expression was noted with increased apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Metformin demonstrates potential as an agent to enhance ovarian cancer treatment efficacy.
- Further research into metformin's role in ovarian cancer therapy is warranted.
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