Melatonina come agente antitumorale contro il cancro al fegato
In questo lavoro i ricercatori hanno analizzato le pubblicazioni degli ultimi 15 anni ed hanno valutato i meccanismi alla base delle attivitą della
melatonina contro i tumori del fegato e il suo ruolo come coadiuvante nel trattamento di questi tumori. La presente revisione sistematica mette in evidenza le prove che documentano il potenziale ruolo della
melatonina nel migliorare il panorama del trattamento del tumore al fegato.
Melatonin as an Antitumor Agent against Liver Cancer
Antioxidants 2021, 10(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010103
Received: 21 December 2020 / Revised: 7 January 2021 / Accepted: 9 January 2021 / Published: 12 January 2021 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Melatonin and Related Compounds: Antioxidant and Inflammatory Actions)
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indoleamine with antioxidant, chronobiotic and anti-inflammatory properties; reduced levels of this hormone are associated with higher risk of cancer. Several beneficial effects of melatonin have been described in a broad number of tumors, including liver cancers. In this work we systematically reviewed the publications of the last 15 years that assessed the underlying mechanisms of melatonin activities against liver cancers, and its role as coadjuvant in the treatment of these tumors. Literature research was performed employing PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases and, after screening, 51 articles were included. Results from the selected studies denoted the useful actions of melatonin in preventing carcinogenesis and as a promising treatment option for the primary liver tumors hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), either alone or in combination with other compounds. Different processes were modulated by the indole, such as inhibition of oxidative
stress, proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion, promotion of immune system response, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as well as recovery of circadian rhythms and autophagy modulation. Taken together, the present systematic review highlights the evidence that document the potential role of melatonin in improving the landscape of liver tumor treatment.
Source:
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/1/103#cite