CHENNAI: A combination of metformin, the drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, and anti-hypertensive drug syrosingopine can cut off energy of cancer cells. The combination will help to treat cancer, by depleting the energy needed for the multiplication of cancer cells, claims a study by University of Basel, conducted at Biozentrum in collaboration with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. Don Benjamin.
Metformin acts to lower blood sugar by slowing the release of glucose from the liver and the absorption of sugar from food in the gut. Metformin, when
combined with a blood pressure drug, can stop cancer tumors from growing. Similarly, the combination of metformin and the antihypertensive syrosingopine cuts off cancer's energy supply, resulting in the death of cancer cells.
Researchers say that cancer cells need a lot of energy to spread as per their usual speed of multiplication using a molecule called NAD+ that turns nutrients into energy. Using the combination of drugs, the glucose supply to the cancer cells can be restricted and their ability to metabolize can be affected.
Both metformin and syrosingopine prevent the regeneration of NAD+, in two different ways. While syrosingopine blocks the two transporters and thus, inhibits lactate export. High intracellular lactate concentrations, prevents energy generation. Metformin blocks the two cellular pathways that help NAD+ regeneration, creating an energy shortage.
The energy shortage ultimately leads to the death of cancer cells, which no longer have an energy supply. The combination of the two drugs, therefore can turn to be anti-cancer drug.
