NCIt definition : The hydrochloride salt of an orally-active thiazolidinedione with antidiabetic properties
and potential antineoplastic activity. Pioglitazone activates peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), a ligand-activated transcription factor, thereby inducing
cell differentiation and inhibiting cell growth and angiogenesis. This agent also
modulates the transcription of insulin-responsive genes, inhibits macrophage and monocyte
activation, and stimulates adipocyte differentiation. (NCI05);
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A drug that is used to treat type 2 diabetes and is being studied in the
prevention of head and neck cancer. It may be able to stop leukoplakia (a condition
affecting the mouth) from developing into cancer. It is a type of thiazolidinedione.;