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Inhibitory effect of antidepressants on B16F10 melanoma tumor growth

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Abstract

Background

Antidepressant drugs, like fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, desipramine, a nonselective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, and mirtazapine, an antagonist of noradrenaline α2 auto- and heteroreceptors, are widely used for the treatment of depressive symptoms in cancer patients. Since these antidepressants have different activities targeting the immune system, they might also modulate tumor growth in cancer patients.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated the effects of administration of antidepressant drugs: fluoxetine, desipramine and mirtazapine on B16F10 melanoma tumor growth. These drugs were administered intraperitoneally (ip) for 17 days after subcutaneous injection of B16F10 melanoma cells to male C57BL/6J mice

Results

Fluoxetine significantly inhibited melanoma solid tumor growth and desipramine tended to decrease this parameter whereas mirtazapine had no effect.

Conclusion

The inhibitory effect of fluoxetine on melanoma growth was associated with an increased mitogen-induced T cell proliferation which may at least partly participate in the mechanism of the antitumor effect of this antidepressant. It appears that the inhibitory effect of fluoxetine on tumor growth is not related with changes in cytokine levels except for IL-10.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland

    Beata Grygier, Marta Kubera, Agnieszka Basta-Kaim, Bogusława Budziszewska, Monika Leśkiewicz, Katarzyna Curzytek, Weronika Duda & Władysław Lasoń

  2. Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Basque Country University, Barrio Sarriena s/n, E 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain

    Beatriz Arteta

  3. Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Kraków, Poland

    Bogusława Budziszewska

  4. Department of Drug Management, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Grzegórzecka 20, PL 31-351, Kraków, Poland

    Władysław Lasoń

  5. Maes Clinics © TRIA, Piyavate Hospital, 998 Rimklongsamsen Road, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand

    Michael Maes

Authors
  1. Beata Grygier
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  2. Beatriz Arteta
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  3. Marta Kubera
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marta Kubera.

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Grygier, B., Arteta, B., Kubera, M. et al. Inhibitory effect of antidepressants on B16F10 melanoma tumor growth. Pharmacol. Rep 65, 672–681 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1734-1140(13)71045-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1734-1140(13)71045-4

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