AUTHOR=Jiang Xiang-Nan , Zhang Yan , Wang Wei-Ge , Sheng Dong , Zhou Xiao-Yan , Li Xiao-Qiu 

TITLE=Alteration of Cholesterol Metabolism by Metformin Is Associated With Improved Outcome in Type II Diabetic Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.608238

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2021.608238

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of metformin on patients with lymphomas. B-cell receptor (BCR)-PI3K-AKT pathway-dependent cholesterol synthesis may represent a positive feedback mechanism responsible for the pathogenesis of BCR-dependent diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). Thus, restriction of lipid synthesis would affect the integrity of lipid-forming membranes and block the BCR signaling pathway. Our <italic>in vitro</italic> findings suggested that the blocking effect of metformin on BCR signaling pathway is possibly exerted <italic>via</italic> blocking the biosynthesis of cholesterol. A retrospective case-control study was subsequently conducted on type II diabetic patients with DLBCL who were on metformin. Metformin was identified to be associated with improved response rate and PFS in diabetic patients and appeared to be an effective therapeutic drug against DLBCL.</p>