Targeting Cancer Cell Metabolism with Metformin, Dichloroacetate and Memantine in Glioblastoma (GBM)

• Published in: Turkish neurosurgery Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 233 - 237
• Main Authors: Albayrak, Gulsah, Konac, Ece, Dere, Umit Akin, Emmez, Hakan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Turkey 01.01.2021
• ISSN: 1019-5149
• DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.29176-20.3

To investigate the effects of metformin, dichloroacetate (DCA), and memantine on T98G and U87-MG human glioblastoma (GBM) cells to target tumor cell metabolism in a multi-directional manner. IC50 levels for metformin, DCA, metformin+DCA and memantine were determined by MTT assay in T98G and U87-MG cells in vitro. Casp3, Bcl-2, Bax, c-Myc and GSK-3B protein expressions were investigated post treatments. Fifteen GBM+ tumor tissues were assessed for Casp-3, Bcl-2, Bad, Bax for apoptotic protein expression patterns. Cancer cell metabolism targeting drugs metformin, DCA, metformin+DCA and memantine induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner in T98G and U87-MG cells. IC50 for memantine is found as 0.5 mM (p < 0.01) which is nearly 10 times lower concentration than that of metformin. Fifteen GBM+ tumor tissues had differential apoptotic protein expressions. Memantine exerted anti-cancer mechanism of action in T98G and U87-MG cells, however, such a mechanism requires deeper investigation for GBM treatment.