Effect of Metformin in Combination With Trametinib and Paclitaxel on Cell Survival and Metastasis in Melanoma Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Despite clinical benefit from treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib in melanoma patients with BRAF mutations, half relapse within months and one-third are unresponsive to treatment. We evaluated the anticancer potential of metformin in combination with trametinib plus paclitaxel, against four melanoma cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Metformin with trametinib and paclitaxel was tested for effects on cell viability, signaling molecules in MAPK and mTOR pathways, factors involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell motility.

RESULTS

The combination of metformin with trametinib and paclitaxel showed differential growth inhibitory effects; synergistic effects were observed in a cell line in which metformin suppresses ERK activity, whereas the combination showed antagonistic effects in a cell line with metformin-induced ERK activation. Trametinib or paclitaxel increased the expression of EMT regulators and melanoma cell motility, which were suppressed by combining metformin with trametinib and paclitaxel.

CONCLUSION

The combined treatment of metformin with trametinib and paclitaxel showed divergent effects on melanoma cell viability. Metformin might be useful as a potential adjuvant against cell proliferation and metastatic activity in melanoma patients.