Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration

<b>Background:</b> Chemotherapy has a broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect and is still the core strategy for cancer treatment. However, the side effects caused by its cytotoxicity, the chemoresistance caused by tumor heterogeneity and abnormal microenvironment seriously restrict the efficac...

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Main Authors: Junlei Zhang, Jiapeng Mao, Yilong Hu, Xingze Huang, Jian You, Lihua Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/812
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author Junlei Zhang
Jiapeng Mao
Yilong Hu
Xingze Huang
Jian You
Lihua Luo
author_facet Junlei Zhang
Jiapeng Mao
Yilong Hu
Xingze Huang
Jian You
Lihua Luo
author_sort Junlei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Chemotherapy has a broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect and is still the core strategy for cancer treatment. However, the side effects caused by its cytotoxicity, the chemoresistance caused by tumor heterogeneity and abnormal microenvironment seriously restrict the efficacy of chemotherapy. Metformin presents the ability to sensitize chemotherapy by interfering with metabolic processes of tumor cells. However, as a dynamic process, metabolic intervention requires a specific time sequence law to optimize its role. <b>Methods:</b> Different administration sequences were screened by in vitro experiments to determine the optimal sequence of metformin and docetaxel. The anti-tumor effect of administration sequence in vivo was investigated in mouse models. The therapeutic advantages were comprehensively evaluated by tumor size, weight change, and survival rate. The immunofluorescent staining and transcriptome analysis were performed to study the mechanisms of the sequential administration strategy. <b>Results:</b> Compared with the subsequent administration and concurrent administration, pretreatment with metformin exhibited a stronger ability toward cell cycle arrest and tumor inhibition with low-dose docetaxel. Moreover, this pre-administration sequence could enhance the anti-tumor immune responses and prevent postoperative recurrence. <b>Conclusions:</b> The optimized chemotherapy sensitization mediated by metabolic intervention required an appropriate administration sequence, which also strengthened the anti-tumor immune responses.
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spelling doaj-art-03b45293ce9c446784c3f20b60c750142025-08-20T02:47:10ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-06-0117781210.3390/pharmaceutics17070812Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential AdministrationJunlei Zhang0Jiapeng Mao1Yilong Hu2Xingze Huang3Jian You4Lihua Luo5College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaInstitute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China<b>Background:</b> Chemotherapy has a broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect and is still the core strategy for cancer treatment. However, the side effects caused by its cytotoxicity, the chemoresistance caused by tumor heterogeneity and abnormal microenvironment seriously restrict the efficacy of chemotherapy. Metformin presents the ability to sensitize chemotherapy by interfering with metabolic processes of tumor cells. However, as a dynamic process, metabolic intervention requires a specific time sequence law to optimize its role. <b>Methods:</b> Different administration sequences were screened by in vitro experiments to determine the optimal sequence of metformin and docetaxel. The anti-tumor effect of administration sequence in vivo was investigated in mouse models. The therapeutic advantages were comprehensively evaluated by tumor size, weight change, and survival rate. The immunofluorescent staining and transcriptome analysis were performed to study the mechanisms of the sequential administration strategy. <b>Results:</b> Compared with the subsequent administration and concurrent administration, pretreatment with metformin exhibited a stronger ability toward cell cycle arrest and tumor inhibition with low-dose docetaxel. Moreover, this pre-administration sequence could enhance the anti-tumor immune responses and prevent postoperative recurrence. <b>Conclusions:</b> The optimized chemotherapy sensitization mediated by metabolic intervention required an appropriate administration sequence, which also strengthened the anti-tumor immune responses.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/812metformindocetaxelchemotherapyadministration sequence
spellingShingle Junlei Zhang
Jiapeng Mao
Yilong Hu
Xingze Huang
Jian You
Lihua Luo
Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration
Pharmaceutics
metformin
docetaxel
chemotherapy
administration sequence
title Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration
title_full Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration
title_fullStr Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration
title_full_unstemmed Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration
title_short Metformin-Sensitized Chemotherapy of Docetaxel Nanoemulsions Based on a Sequential Administration
title_sort metformin sensitized chemotherapy of docetaxel nanoemulsions based on a sequential administration
topic metformin
docetaxel
chemotherapy
administration sequence
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/812
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AT xingzehuang metforminsensitizedchemotherapyofdocetaxelnanoemulsionsbasedonasequentialadministration
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