Preclinical meritorious anticancer effects of Metformin against breast cancer: An In vivo trial

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to evaluate the preclinical meritorious and anticancer effects of Metformin in a Xenograft model of breast cancer.

Methods: This interventional trial was conducted during a defined period of 5 months (August 2016 January 2017). We used a Xenograft model of nude BALB/c mice. A sample size of 50 mice, allocated into two groups and designated as Group A and Group B for Metformin and negative control groups, respectively. The anticancer activity of Metformin has been evaluated by comparing the tumour volume, tumour weight, tumour regression ratio, percentage regression, and survival rate.

Results: Compared with the control group, Metformin can significantly reduce the progression of tumour in the Xenograft model of breast cancer induced by MCF-7. This is reflected by significant differences in tumour volume at the final follow-up (p = <0.001). Our findings are further supported by a significant reduction of the tumour growth rate (p = <0.001) and tumour weight (p = <0.001) in the Metformin group than in the control group. Similarly, the total survival rate and tumour regression are more significantly correlated in the Metformin group.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Metformin can significantly reduce the tumour growth and can increase the survival rate in a Xenograft model of breast cancer.

Keywords: Athymic; CDX model; MCF-7; Metformin; Tumour Volume.