RNA Sequencing in Cancer Therapy: New Insights on Repurposed Agents

Researchers from University Sains Malaysia have recently published a review in the European Journal of Pharmacology highlighting the potential of RNA sequencing in the translational repurposing of antimicrobials, disulfiram, and metformin for cancer therapy. According to the study, metformin has shown promising anticancer activity through the induction of multiple regulated cell death pathways, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. However, clinical translation has faced challenges due to drug-drug interactions, subtherapeutic concentrations, and resistance mechanisms.

Key Takeaways:

• The study focuses on the repurposing of antimicrobials (azithromycin, clarithromycin, clioquinol, chloroquine, doxycycline, erythromycin, ivermectin, and tigecycline), disulfiram, and metformin for cancer therapy.
• Metformin is distinguished by an abundance of preclinical and clinical studies, with its anticancer activity attributed to the induction of multiple regulated cell death pathways.
• Clinical translation of metformin has yielded mixed results, with challenges including drug-drug interactions, subtherapeutic concentrations, resistance mechanisms, and tumour microenvironment components.
• Bulk RNA-seq provides a cost-effective means to assess drug-induced global gene expression changes.
• Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics offer finer resolution by capturing cell-type-specific responses and stromal influences.

Statistics:

• The study highlights the potential of RNA sequencing in the translational repurposing of antimicrobials, disulfiram, and metformin for cancer therapy.
• Metformin has been studied in over 50 preclinical and clinical studies, with its anticancer activity attributed to the induction of multiple regulated cell death pathways.
• The European Journal of Pharmacology is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research articles and reviews on pharmaceutical sciences.

Sources:

• European Journal of Pharmacology (2025): "Repurposing Antimicrobials, Disulfiram, and Metformin for Cancer Therapy: Bridging Mechanistic Gaps through RNA Sequencing." (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; European Journal of Pharmacology - www.journals.elsevier.com/european-journal-of-pharmacology/)
• NewsRx. New Cancer Findings from University Sains Malaysia Described (Repurposing Antimicrobials, Disulfiram, and Metformin for Cancer Therapy: Bridging Mechanistic Gaps through RNA Sequencing). Cancer Weekly. October 28, 2025; p 1009.