Metformin suppresses growth and adrenocorticotrophic hormone secretion in mouse pituitary corticotroph tumor AtT20 cells

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Kai JinGang Yang

Abstract

Pituitary corticotroph tumors lead to excess adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion, resulting in Cushing's disease (CD), which is associated with significant mortality. Standard treatments include neurosurgery, radiotherapy and medical therapy. Both surgery and radiotherapy have undesirable complications and high recurrence rates. At present, there is only one medical option available that targets pituitary adenoma and ACTH secretion, the drug pasireotide. However, hyperglycemia is common during pasireotide treatment. In addition, some patients have discontinued pasireotide treatment because of hyperglycemia-related adverse events or uncontrolled diabetes. New medical treatments directly targeting the corticotroph cells and suppressing ACTH secretion are urgently required. Metformin is a commonly used antidiabetic drug that has been widely used to control the hyperglycemia that occurs in patients with CD, which is secondary to both cortisol excess and pasireotide treatment. Recent studies suggest that metformin has direct anticancer activities against many tumor cell lines. In the present study, we investigated whether metformin exerts an anti-tumor effect by directly targeting pituitary corticotroph tumors and explorin...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 13, 2019·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·Mari C Vázquez-BorregoRaúl M Luque
Nov 16, 2021·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Frederick VogelMartin Reincke

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