Efficacy and safety of once-monthly efpeglenatide in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results of a phase 2 placebo-controlled, 16-week randomized dose-finding study.

Aims: To determine the optimal dose(s) of once-monthly administration of efpeglenatide, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on metformin.

Materials And Methods: In this phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial (NCT02081118), patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to subcutaneous efpeglenatide (8, 12 or 16 mg once monthly; n = 158) or placebo (n = 51). The 16-week treatment period included a 4-week titration phase with once-weekly efpeglenatide 4 mg, followed by one dose of efpeglenatide 8 mg once monthly and two doses of the assigned once-monthly dose.

Effect of IL-6 on proliferation of human thyroid anaplastic cancer stem cells.

Objective: To investigate the effect of IL-6 on the proliferation of thyroid cancer stem cells.

Methods: HTh74 and HTh74R thyroid cancer stem cells were cultured. The proliferation of thyroid cancer stem cells after IL-6 treatment was assessed by the MTT method.

Metformin and thyroid disease.

An intriguing area of research in thyroidology is the recently discovered association of insulin resistance with thyroid functional and morphological abnormalities. Individuals with hyperinsulinemia have larger thyroid gland and a higher prevalence of thyroid nodules and cancer. Accordingly, patients treated with metformin have a smaller thyroid volume and a lower risk of incident goiter, thyroid nodule and cancer.

1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits the proliferation of thyroid cancer stem-like cells via cell cycle arrest.

Background: An anti-proliferative effect of vitamin D has been reported in different carcinomas, including thyroid cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a very small fraction of cancer cells, are widely believed to be responsible for cancer initiation, relapse and metastasis.

Objectives: We addressed the question as to whether CSCs derived from the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines SW1736, C643, HTh74 and its doxorubicin- resistant subline HTh74R are also a target of vitamin D action.

Synergistic anti-proliferative effect of metformin and sorafenib on growth of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells and their stem cells.

Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor has recently been approved for the treatment of radio-iodine refractory thyroid carcinoma. However, toxic side effects may lead to dose reduction. In the present study, we analyzed whether a combined therapy with metformin may allow a dose reduction of sorafenib without loss of effectiveness at the same time.