Abstract
It is commonly accepted that melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), the most relevant pineal secretory product, has oncostatic properties in a wide variety of tumors and, especially, in those identified as being hormone-dependent. The objective of the present article is to offer a global and integrative view of the mechanisms involved in the oncostatic actions of this indoleamine. Due to the wide spectrum of melatonins actions, the mechanisms that may be involved in its ability to counteract tumor growth are varied. These include: a) antioxidant effects; b) regulation of the estrogen receptor expression and transactivation; c) modulation of the enzymes involved in the local synthesis of estrogens; d) modulation of cell cycle and induction of apoptosis; e) inhibition of telomerase activity; f) inhibition of metastasis; g) prevention of circadian disruption; h) antiangiogenesis; i) epigenetic effects; j) stimulation of cell differentiation; and k) activation of the immune system. The data supporting each of these oncostatic actions of melatonin are summarized in this review. Moreover, the list of actions described may not be exhaustive in terms of how melatonin modulates tumor growth.
Keywords: Melatonin, cancer, antioxidant, immunoenhancing, estrogen signalling pathway, angiogenesis, telomerase, metastasis, epigenetic effects, indoleamine, malignant tumors, Neuroendocrin, neoplastic diseases, malignant neoplasias, sarcomas, colorectal cancer, hepatocarcinomas, melanoma, neural tumors, larynx carcinomas, cervical cancer, estrogenic receptor, mitogenic proteins, calmodulin (CaM), osteoblasts, aortic smooth muscle, antiaromatases, anastroxole, exemestrane, letrozole, estrogen sulfotransferases, mesenchymal stem cells, cytodifferentiating effects, cytosolic proteases, apoptotic induced factor, vincristine, ifosfamide, telomerase activity, xenoestrogens, reactive oxygen species, carbonic anhydrase IX, suprachiasmatic nuclei, E-cadherin, 1-integrin, lymphoid organs, lymphocytes, pinealectomy, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, neuroendocrine-reproductive, neoplasias
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Basic Mechanisms Involved in the Anti-Cancer Effects of Melatonin
Volume: 17 Issue: 36
Author(s): M. D. Mediavilla, E. J. Sanchez-Barcelo, D. X. Tan, L. Manchester and R. J. Reiter
Affiliation:
Keywords: Melatonin, cancer, antioxidant, immunoenhancing, estrogen signalling pathway, angiogenesis, telomerase, metastasis, epigenetic effects, indoleamine, malignant tumors, Neuroendocrin, neoplastic diseases, malignant neoplasias, sarcomas, colorectal cancer, hepatocarcinomas, melanoma, neural tumors, larynx carcinomas, cervical cancer, estrogenic receptor, mitogenic proteins, calmodulin (CaM), osteoblasts, aortic smooth muscle, antiaromatases, anastroxole, exemestrane, letrozole, estrogen sulfotransferases, mesenchymal stem cells, cytodifferentiating effects, cytosolic proteases, apoptotic induced factor, vincristine, ifosfamide, telomerase activity, xenoestrogens, reactive oxygen species, carbonic anhydrase IX, suprachiasmatic nuclei, E-cadherin, 1-integrin, lymphoid organs, lymphocytes, pinealectomy, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, neuroendocrine-reproductive, neoplasias
Abstract: It is commonly accepted that melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), the most relevant pineal secretory product, has oncostatic properties in a wide variety of tumors and, especially, in those identified as being hormone-dependent. The objective of the present article is to offer a global and integrative view of the mechanisms involved in the oncostatic actions of this indoleamine. Due to the wide spectrum of melatonins actions, the mechanisms that may be involved in its ability to counteract tumor growth are varied. These include: a) antioxidant effects; b) regulation of the estrogen receptor expression and transactivation; c) modulation of the enzymes involved in the local synthesis of estrogens; d) modulation of cell cycle and induction of apoptosis; e) inhibition of telomerase activity; f) inhibition of metastasis; g) prevention of circadian disruption; h) antiangiogenesis; i) epigenetic effects; j) stimulation of cell differentiation; and k) activation of the immune system. The data supporting each of these oncostatic actions of melatonin are summarized in this review. Moreover, the list of actions described may not be exhaustive in terms of how melatonin modulates tumor growth.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
D. Mediavilla M., J. Sanchez-Barcelo E., X. Tan D., Manchester L. and J. Reiter R., Basic Mechanisms Involved in the Anti-Cancer Effects of Melatonin, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 17 (36) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710794183015
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710794183015 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Novel Implications for Lysophospholipids, Lysophosphatidic Acid and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate, as Drug Targets in Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Anticancer Evaluation of Pyrazole Linked Pyrazoline Derivatives with Carbothioamide Tail as EGFR Kinase Inhibitors
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Targeting the Immune System in Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Medicinal Properties of the Jamaican Pepper Plant Pimenta dioica and Allspice
Current Drug Targets FOXO and FOXM1 in Cancer: The FOXO-FOXM1 Axis Shapes the Outcome of Cancer Chemotherapy
Current Drug Targets The Anticancer Properties of Dietary Polyphenols and its Relation with Apoptosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Matrix Metalloproteinases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Teratogenic Activity of HDAC Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Protein Kinase C as a Drug Target Implications for Drug or Diet Prevention and Treatment of Cancer
Current Drug Targets Antimutagenic, Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Properties of Sea Grape Leaf Extract Fractions (<i>Coccoloba uvifera</i> L.)
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Influence of AIDS on the Morphometric and Immune Status of the Uterine Cervix of Autopsied Patients
Current HIV Research The Role of Oxazolidine Derivatives in the Treatment of Infectious and Chronic Diseases
Current Bioactive Compounds Antineoplastic Potential of Medicinal Plants
Recent Patents on Biotechnology H3K4 Methylation Status and Lysine Specific Methyltransferase KMT2C Expression Correlate with Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Current Molecular Pharmacology Quality Survival with Advanced Cervical Cancer
Current Women`s Health Reviews Biological Rationales and Clinical Applications of Temperature Controlled Hyperthermia - Implications for Multimodal Cancer Treatments
Current Medicinal Chemistry miRNA and Proteomic Dysregulation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Response to Cigarette Smoke
MicroRNA A New Approach for β-cyclodextrin Conjugated Drug Delivery System in Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Delivery Nutritional Attributes and Health Application of Seabuckthorn (<i>Hippophae rhamnoides</i> L.) – A Review
Current Nutrition & Food Science Baicalin-induced Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in Multidrug-resistant MC3/5FU Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Cell Line
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery