Metformin Repurposing in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Unveiling In Vitro Signaling Pathways, Progressing to Clinical Trial

Summary

OSF is a widespread health issue in Asian countries, notably Pakistan, linked to the consumption of pan, chalia, and gutka, affecting a rising number of young individuals as an epidemic. This condition significantly impairs oral function, resulting in ulcers and chronic lesions, often progressing to oral cancer. Current treatments focus on symptom relief and halting disease progression. This study explores the repurposing of metformin, an FDA-approved drug with antifibrotic properties, for OSF treatment. Our objective is to unveil its therapeutic potential and comprehend its impact on the dysregulated signaling pathways associated with OSF. This research offers promising insights for an enhanced management approach, providing hope for those grappling with this debilitating condition

Timeline

Start

2024-08-12

Primary completion

2024-12-30

Completion

2025-01-06

Publications

• Results Yang SF, Wang YH, Su NY, Yu HC, Wei CY, Yu CH, Chang YC. Changes in prevalence of precancerous oral submucous fibrosis from 1996 to 2013 in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective study. J Formos Med Assoc. 2018 Feb;117(2):147-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2017.01.012. Epub 2017 Apr 5.
• Results Shen YW, Shih YH, Fuh LJ, Shieh TM. Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Review on Biomarkers, Pathogenic Mechanisms, and Treatments. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Sep 30;21(19):7231. doi: 10.3390/ijms21197231.
• Results Septembre-Malaterre A, Boina C, Douanier A, Gasque P. Deciphering the Antifibrotic Property of Metformin. Cells. 2022 Dec 16;11(24):4090. doi: 10.3390/cells11244090.
• Results Wu M, Xu H, Liu J, Tan X, Wan S, Guo M, Long Y, Xu Y. Metformin and Fibrosis: A Review of Existing Evidence and Mechanisms. J Diabetes Res. 2021 Apr 29;2021:6673525. doi: 10.1155/2021/6673525. eCollection 2021.
• Results Teague TT, Payne SR, Kelly BT, Dempsey TM, McCoy RG, Sangaralingham LR, Limper AH. Evaluation for clinical benefit of metformin in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a national claims-based cohort analysis. Respir Res. 2022 Apr 11;23(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12931-022-02001-0.
• Results Pimentel I, Lohmann AE, Ennis M, Dowling RJO, Cescon D, Elser C, Potvin KR, Haq R, Hamm C, Chang MC, Stambolic V, Goodwin PJ. A phase II randomized clinical trial of the effect of metformin versus placebo on progression-free survival in women with metastatic breast cancer receiving standard chemotherapy. Breast. 2019 Dec;48:17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2019.08.003. Epub 2019 Aug 22.

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