Melatonin and pancreatic cancer: Current knowledge and future perspectives

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate due to the absence of early symptoms and subsequent late diagnosis; additionally, pancreatic cancer has a high resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Multiple inflammatory pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of pancreatic cancer. Melatonin an indoleamine produced in the pineal gland mediated and receptor-independent action is the pancreas and other where has both receptors. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and tissue protector against inflammation and oxidative stress. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that melatonin supplementation is an appropriate therapeutic approach for pancreatic cancer. Melatonin may be an effective apoptosis inducer in cancer cells through regulation of a large number of molecular pathways including oxidative stress, heat shock proteins, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Limited clinical studies, however, have evaluated the role of melatonin in pancreatic cancer. This review summarizes what is known regarding the effects of melatonin on pancreatic cancer and the mechanisms involved.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 promotes cell proliferation via activation of AKT and is directly targeted by microRNA-494 in pancreatic cancer

“…Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide[1]. Currently, the treatment options for patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer are very limited, and the clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory[2,3]. Although some understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer development and progression was obtained[4-6], new therapy targets are necessary to improve the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients.…”

Differential MicroRNA Expression of miR-21 and miR-155 within Oral Cancer Extracellular Vesicles in Response to Melatonin

“…Due to the nature, structure and function of melatonin, much of this research has focused on hormone-dependent tumors, such as breast and pancreatic cancers [10,11,12]. However, the preventive and therapeutic actions of melatonin have also been observed in many other types of tumors, including oral and esophageal cancers [13,14,15,16,17].…”

Microbial production of beneficial indoleamines (serotonin and melatonin) with potential application to biotechnological products for human health

“…Melatonin has also the ability to repair cellular damage and protect healthy cells (Kumar et al 2017). Tamtaji et al (2019) reviewed the results of several in vivo and in vitro studies claiming that supplementation with melatonin showed a therapeutic alternative for pancreatic cancer. This effect could be associated with the ability of melatonin to induce the apoptosis of cancer cells, which involves a broad spectrum of molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress.…”