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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
Published on: January 22, 2018
Melatonin for gastric cancer treatment: where do we stand?
Mahdi Rafiyan1,2, Elham Tootoonchi1,2, Mahdieh Golpour3
1Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
Abstract:
Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading reason of death in men and the fourth in women. Studies have documented an inhibitory function of melatonin on the proliferation, progression and invasion of GC cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play an important function in regulation of biological processes and gene expression of the cells. Some studies reported that melatonin can suppress the progression of GC by regulating the exosomal miRNAs. Thus, melatonin represents a promising potential therapeutic agent for subjects with GC. Herein, we evaluate the existing data of both in vivo and in vitro studies to clarify the molecular processes involved in the therapeutic effects of melatonin in GC. The data emphasize the critical function of melatonin in several signaling ways by which it may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease chemo-resistance, induce apoptosis as well as limit invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review provides a resource that identifies some of the mechanisms by which melatonin controls GC enlargement. In light of the findings, melatonin should be considered a novel and testable therapeutic mediator for GC treatment.
Insights
Melatonin, a natural compound, shows promise in treating gastric cancer (GC) by inhibiting tumor growth and spread. Further research into melatonin
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant global health concern, ranking as a leading cause of cancer-related mortality.
- Melatonin has demonstrated inhibitory effects on gastric cancer cell proliferation, progression, and invasion in previous studies.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, and melatonin's influence on exosomal miRNAs in GC is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review and synthesize existing in vivo and in vitro data on the therapeutic effects of melatonin in gastric cancer.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin's anti-cancer activity in GC.
- To assess the potential of melatonin as a novel therapeutic agent for gastric cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and analysis of published in vivo and in vitro studies.
- Evaluation of molecular signaling pathways affected by melatonin in gastric cancer models.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding melatonin's impact on cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemo-resistance, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Main Results:
- Melatonin exhibits multifaceted therapeutic potential against gastric cancer by targeting multiple signaling pathways.
- Key mechanisms include inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and reduction of chemo-resistance.
- Melatonin also demonstrates efficacy in limiting invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin plays a critical role in controlling gastric cancer progression through various molecular mechanisms.
- The findings support melatonin as a promising and testable therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.
- Further clinical investigation into melatonin's efficacy and safety for GC treatment is warranted.
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