Metformin synergizes with gilteritinib in treating FLT3-mutated leukemia via targeting PLK1 signaling
Meiling Chen, Chao Shen, Yi‐Ping Phoebe Chen, Zhenhua Chen, Keren Zhou, Yuanzhong Chen, Wei Li, Chengwu Zeng, Ying Qing, Dong‐Dong Wu, Caiming Xu, Tingting Tang, Yuan Che, Xi Qin, Zhaoxu Xu, Kitty Wang, Keith Leung, Lillian Sau, Xiaolan Deng, Jianda Hu, Wu Yong, Jianjun Chen
Abstract
Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations, present in over 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and dominated by FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), are associated with poor outcomes in patients with AML. While tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs; e.g., gilteritinib) are effective, they face challenges such as drug resistance, relapse, and high costs. Here, we report that metformin, a cheap, safe, and widely used anti-diabetic agent, exhibits a striking synergistic effect with gilteritinib in treating FLT3-ITD AML. Metformin significantly sensitizes FLT3-ITD AML cells (including TKI-resistant ones) to gilteritinib. Metformin plus gilteritinib (low dose) dramatically suppresses leukemia progression and prolongs survival in FLT3-ITD AML mouse models. Mechanistically, the combinational treatment cooperatively suppresses polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) expression and phosphorylation of FLT3/STAT5/ERK/mTOR. Clinical analysis also shows improved survival rates in patients with FLT3-ITD AML taking metformin. Thus, the metformin/gilteritinib combination represents a promising and cost-effective treatment for patients with FLT3-mutated AML, particularly for those with low income/affordability.