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Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
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Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

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Beta Blockers and Melanoma

Aleksandra Vojvodic1, Petar Vojvodic2, Tatjana Vlaskovic-Jovicevic2

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
|December 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Beta-blockers show promise in treating melanoma by inhibiting tumor growth and improving patient prognosis. They target tumor angiogenesis and immune suppression, offering potential as an adjuvant therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer immune-tolerance presents a significant challenge in oncology.
  • Beta-blockers exhibit potential anticarcinogenic effects across various cancers, including melanoma.
  • However, beta-blockers can also cause or exacerbate dermatological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms behind the anticarcinogenic effects of beta-blockers in melanoma.
  • To explore the role of specific adrenoceptors in melanoma progression and immune response.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of beta-blockers as an adjuvant therapy for melanoma.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of beta-blocker effects on melanoma cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasiveness.
  • Investigation of adrenoceptor expression (β2 and β3) in immune cells under hypoxic conditions.
  • Assessment of changes in immune cell populations (Treg, MDSC, NK, CD8) and their cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

  • Beta-blockers, particularly propranolol, significantly improve melanoma patient prognosis.
  • Propranolol inhibits melanoma by reducing tumor angiogenesis, proliferation, and invasiveness, while mitigating local immune suppression.
  • Hypoxia upregulates β3-adrenoceptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, specifically in immune cells like Treg, MDSC, and NK cells, enhancing NK and CD8 cell number and cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Catecholamines may impede melanoma progression.
  • Beta-blockers possess unrecognized therapeutic potential for melanoma prevention and treatment.
  • Beta-blockers can serve as an effective adjuvant therapy alongside other melanoma treatments.
Keywords:
Beta-blockersMelanoma

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