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Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram
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Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram

Published on: November 27, 2016

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Serotonin transporter and receptor ligands with antidepressant activity as neuroprotective and proapoptotic agents

Zdzislaw Chilmonczyk1, Andrzej J Bojarski2, Andrzej Pilc2

  • 1National Medicines Institute, Warszawa, Poland.

Pharmacological Reports : PR
|March 22, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Serotonin (5-HT) influences non-neural functions, including cancer cell growth. This review explores how serotonergic antidepressants, like SSRIs and TCAs, exhibit both neuroprotective and pro-apoptotic activities in cancer cells.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Serotonin (5-HT) has diverse non-neural roles, impacting processes like embryogenesis and behavior.
  • The neurotransmitter 5-HT stimulates growth in various cell types, including inducing migration in prostate cancer cell lines.
  • Antidepressants are linked to neurogenesis and possess neuroprotective properties, but some may induce cancer cell apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize and discuss the neuroprotective and pro-apoptotic activities of serotonergic antidepressants.
  • To explore the roles of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and 5-HT1A receptor ligands.
  • To analyze the underlying biochemical transduction pathways responsible for these activities.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on serotonergic agents and cancer cells.
  • Analysis of studies investigating neuroprotection and apoptosis induction by antidepressants.
  • Examination of biochemical mechanisms, including signal transduction pathways.

Main Results:

  • Serotonergic antidepressants (SSRIs, TCAs) and 5-HT1A ligands display both neuroprotective and pro-apoptotic effects.
  • Evidence suggests these agents can influence cancer cell behavior, including growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.
  • Specific biochemical pathways mediate these dual activities, highlighting complex interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Serotonergic antidepressants possess complex activities in cancer cells, offering potential therapeutic avenues.
  • Understanding the biochemical pathways is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies based on serotonergic modulation.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical implications.
Keywords:
ApoptosisNeuroprotectionSerotonin ligands

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