Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
08:04

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro

Published on: March 18, 2014

Fluoxetine Suppresses Osteosarcoma Progression In Vivo by Inducing Apoptosis and Inhibiting the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB

Yu-Hsi Chen1, Chi-Huan Li2, Shih-Wei Liu3,4

  • 1Department of Orthopedics, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Anticancer Research
|March 28, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fluoxetine effectively reduced osteosarcoma (OSCC) tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. This antidepressant shows potential as a novel therapeutic agent for OSCC by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting key signaling pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Osteosarcoma (OSCC) presents a significant challenge, driving the need for new treatments.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving outcomes in OSCC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-tumor effects of fluoxetine in an in vivo OSCC model.
  • To evaluate fluoxetine's impact on tumor growth, metastasis, and molecular mechanisms in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Mice bearing U-2 OS cell xenografts were treated with varying doses of fluoxetine (10 or 20 mg/kg).
  • Tumor growth, metastasis, and systemic toxicity were assessed via histopathological and biochemical analyses.
  • Molecular mechanisms, including apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and key signaling pathways, were investigated.

Main Results:

  • Fluoxetine treatment led to a dose-dependent decrease in tumor volume and weight without significant toxicity.
  • Apoptosis was induced via activation of the caspase cascade (caspase-8, -9, -3).
  • Metastasis was inhibited by suppressing VEGF and MMP-9, reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and disrupting AKT/mTOR and NF-κB signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Fluoxetine exhibits significant anti-tumor activity against OSCC in vivo.
  • The drug induces apoptosis, inhibits metastasis, and targets critical oncogenic signaling pathways.
  • Fluoxetine holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for osteosarcoma, meriting further clinical investigation.
Keywords:
AKT/PRAS40/mTOR/NF-BOsteosarcoma (OSCC)apoptosisfluoxetine

More Related Videos

Intratibial Osteosarcoma Cell Injection to Generate Orthotopic Osteosarcoma and Lung Metastasis Mouse Models04:25

Intratibial Osteosarcoma Cell Injection to Generate Orthotopic Osteosarcoma and Lung Metastasis Mouse Models

Published on: October 28, 2021

Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration11:13

Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration

Published on: June 9, 2023

Related Concept Videos

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...