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Mechanisms involved in the pro-apoptotic effect of melatonin in cancer cells

Carmen Rodriguez1, Vanesa Martín, Federico Herrera

  • 1Department of Morphology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, c/Julian Claveria 6, 33006 Oviedo, Spain. carro@uniovi.es.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin shows antitumoral effects by decreasing cancer cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis at high concentrations. It also enhances chemotherapy efficacy, suggesting potential as a cancer treatment adjunct.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Melatonin is known for antitumoral effects, primarily reducing cancer cell proliferation at low concentrations.
  • Recent studies show melatonin can induce apoptosis in specific cancer types at high concentrations.
  • The molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin's pro-apoptotic effects are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pro-apoptotic effects of melatonin in cancer cells.
  • To summarize the molecular mechanisms involved in melatonin-induced apoptosis.
  • To propose a hypothesis linking cell signaling pathways to melatonin's pro-apoptotic action.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of published studies on melatonin and cancer.
  • Analysis of reported molecular pathways involved in melatonin's cytotoxic effects.
  • Synthesis of findings to construct a hypothetical model of cell signaling.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin exhibits a dose-dependent effect, inhibiting proliferation at low doses and inducing apoptosis at high doses.
  • Synergistic anticancer effects observed when melatonin is combined with chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Partial elucidation of molecular pathways mediating melatonin's pro-apoptotic action.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin possesses significant pro-apoptotic properties in cancer cells, particularly at higher concentrations.
  • Understanding the molecular pathways is crucial for optimizing melatonin-based cancer therapies.
  • Further research into cell signaling interactions may reveal novel therapeutic strategies.

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