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Evaluating Metformin as a Mitigator of Radiation-Induced Skin Fibrosis: Safety and Efficacy in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy
Alexa Rivera del Rio Hernandez, MD ; Naresh Mahajan, PhD; Andrea A. Moreira, MD; Samantha L. Bosco, BS; Jeffrey A. Gusenoff, MD; Francesco M. Egro, MBChB, MSc, MRCS; J. Peter Rubin, MD, FACS, MBA; Asim Ejaz, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
2024-12-13
Presenter: Alexa Rivera del Rio Hernandez, MD
Affidavit:
I certify that the material proposed for presentation in this abstract has not been published in any scientific journal or previously presented at a major meeting.
Director Name: J. Peter Rubin
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
BACKGROUND: Metformin has been explored as a potential mitigator for radiation-induced skin fibrosis (RISF) following breast cancer radiation therapy (RT). However, its interaction with breast cancer cells during RT is not fully understood and establishing a safety profile in oncological settings is crucial. Our goal is to evaluate metformin's effect on breast cancer cells under radiation exposure to determine its oncological safety and cytotoxic potential.
METHODS: MCF-7 cells were cultured in the presence of no metformin, 1mM, 2.5 mM or 5 mM metformin, post-radiation and no radiation. Cell proliferation was assessed with cell counting and Ki67 staining. LIVE/DEAD Assay was used to evaluate cell viability and cell death. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the interactions between metformin concentrations and radiation treatment.
RESULTS: Our results demonstrate a significant effect of metformin on cell death. Overall, metformin-treated cells exhibited a lower proliferation than non-treated cells. LIVE/DEAD assay showed a higher percentage of cell death in metformin-treated groups post-radiation. Number of viable cells in the metformin-treated group was significantly lower compared to non-metformin-treated cells. Additionally, cell count showed a non-significant difference within the metformin concentrations.
CONCLUSION: Our results underscore metformin's potential as a safe adjunct to RT in breast cancer treatment to mitigate RISF. Cell count of metformin-treated irradiated cells demonstrates that metformin does not interfere with radiation cytotoxicity, and cell count on non-irradiated cells shows that metformin by itself induces cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. Even though metformin has cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells, radiation is still crucial to promote cancer cell death.
