Mechanisms Involved in the Pro-Apoptotic Effect of Melatonin in Cancer Cells

• Main Authors: Isaac Antolín, María José Anítua, Santos Suárez, Noelia Puente-Moncada, Ana María Sánchez-Sánchez, Sara Casado-Zapico, Guillermo García-Santos, Jezabel Rodriguez-Blanco, Federico Herrera, Vanesa Martín, Carmen Rodriguez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2013-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: melatonin; cancer cells; apoptosis; ROS
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/14/4/6597

It is well established that melatonin exerts antitumoral effects in many cancer types, mostly decreasing cell proliferation at low concentrations. On the other hand, induction of apoptosis by melatonin has been described in the last few years in some particular cancer types. The cytotoxic effect occurs after its administration at high concentrations, and the molecular pathways involved have been only partially determined. Moreover, a synergistic effect has been found in several cancer types when it is administered in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. In the present review, we will summarize published work on the pro-apoptotic effect of melatonin in cancer cells and the reported mechanisms involved in such action. We will also construct a hypothesis on how different cell signaling pathways may relate each other on account for such effect.