METFORMIN AND DICHOLOROACETATE COMBINATION EXERT A SYNERGISTIC EFFECT ON CELL VIABILITY OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Objective: To assess the effects of Metformin, Dichloroacetate  (DCA) and their combination on cell viability in oral squamous  cell carcinoma, UPCI-SCC-131 cell line. Methods: UPCI-SCC-131 cells were plated in 96 E-plate (1x104  cells/well) and were treated with Metformin (1-16mM) and/or  DCA (15-120mM) for 24-48-72h. xCELLigence SP system was used  to monitor real time cell viability. In addition, drug combination  index was analyzed with CompuSyn software according to  Chou-Talalay method. Results: Half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Metformin  and DCA were found to be 3mM and 23mM, respectively,  for 72 hours. CI values (0.76-0.80) in all combination groups below  1 indicated that Metformin/DCA combination had a moderate  synergistic effect on cell viability in UPCI-SCC-131 cells. Discussion: Metformin/DCA combination synergistically decreased  the cell viability of UPCI-SCC-131 cells. Therefore, a combined  application of Metformin and DCA may be considered as  a candidate therapy for the “drug repositioning” of the treatment  of oral cavity cancer.