Transcriptomic analysis of human primary breast cancer identifies fatty acid oxidation as a target for metformin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiological studies suggest that metformin may reduce the incidence of cancer in patients with diabetes and multiple late phase clinical trials assessing the potential of repurposing this drug are underway. Transcriptomic profiling of tumour samples is an excellent tool to understand drug bioactivity, identify candidate biomarkers and assess for mechanisms of resistance to therapy.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with untreated primary breast cancer were recruited to a window study and transcriptomic profiling of tumour samples carried out before and after metformin treatment.

Results

Multiple genes that regulate fatty acid oxidation were upregulated at the transcriptomic level and there was a differential change in expression between two previously identif

SUBMITTER: Lord SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6986920 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature