Metabolic Anti-Cancer Effects of Melatonin: Clinically Relevant Prospects
Marek Samec, Alena Líšková, Lenka Koklesová, Kevin Zhai, Elizabeth Varghese, Samson Mathews Samuel, Miroslava Šudomová, Vincent Lučanský, Monika Kassayová, Martin Jozef Péč, Kamil Biringer, Aranka Brockmueller, Karol Kajo, Sherif T. S. Hassan, Mehdi Shakibaei, Olga Golubnitschaja, Dietrich Büsselberg, Peter Kubatka
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming characterized by alterations in nutrient uptake and critical molecular pathways associated with cancer cell metabolism represents a fundamental process of malignant transformation. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin primarily regulates circadian rhythms but also exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, antioxidant and anti-tumor activities. Concerning cancer metabolism, melatonin displays significant anticancer effects via the regulation of key components of aerobic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and lipid metabolism. Melatonin treatment affects glucose transporter (GLUT) expression, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity, lactate production and other metabolic contributors. Moreover, melatonin modulates critical players in cancer development, such as HIF-1 and p53. Taken together, melatonin has notable anti-cancer effects at malignancy initiation, progression and metastasing. Further investigations of melatonin impacts relevant for cancer metabolism are expected to create innovative approaches supportive for the effective prevention and targeted therapy of cancers.