Metformin blocks melanoma invasion and metastasis development in AMPK/p53-dependent manner

Mol Cancer Ther. 2013 Aug;12(8):1605-15. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-12-1226-T. Epub 2013 Jun 5.

Abstract

Metformin was reported to inhibit the proliferation of many cancer cells, including melanoma cells. In this report, we investigated the effect of metformin on melanoma invasion and metastasis development. Using different in vitro approaches, we found that metformin inhibits cell invasion without affecting cell migration and independently of antiproliferation action. This inhibition is correlated with modulation of expression of proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition such as Slug, Snail, SPARC, fibronectin, and N-cadherin and with inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activation. Furthermore, our data indicate that this process is dependent on activation of AMPK and tumor suppressor protein p53. Finally, we showed that metformin inhibits melanoma metastasis development in mice using extravasation and metastasis models. The presented data reinforce the fact that metformin might be a good candidate for clinical trial in melanoma treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism
  • Metformin / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Metformin
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Metalloendopeptidases