Unveiling the Protective Role of Melatonin in Osteosarcoma: Current Knowledge and Limitations.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore melatonin's potential anti-cancer properties, particularly its role in treating pediatric osteosarcoma, focusing on mechanisms like tumor inhibition, apoptosis induction, and chemotherapeutic enhancement.
Results Summary
Melatonin demonstrated anti-cancer effects in osteosarcoma by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and enhancing chemotherapy efficacy while reducing oxidative damage-related side effects. Results were supported by in vitro and animal models, though human trials remain limited.
Population
Pediatric osteosarcoma patients (children and adolescents).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | decrease | cancer | - | - | has potential anti-cancer properties | #1 |
melatonin | decrease | tumorigenesis | - | - | inhibition of tumorigenesis | #2 |
melatonin | increase | apoptosis | - | - | induction of apoptosis | #3 |
melatonin | neutral | anti-tumor immune response | - | - | regulation of anti-tumor immune response | #4 |
melatonin | decrease | osteosarcoma | pediatric osteosarcoma patients | - | has therapeutic effects | #5 |
melatonin | decrease | cancer cell proliferation | osteosarcoma | - | halt cancer cell proliferation | #6 |
melatonin | increase | apoptotic cell death | osteosarcoma | - | trigger apoptotic cell death | #7 |
melatonin | increase | chemotherapeutic efficacy | osteosarcoma patients | - | enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy | #8 |
melatonin | decrease | chemotherapy-induced oxidative damage | osteosarcoma patients | - | alleviates harmful side effects | #9 |
melatonin | decrease | therapeutic toxicities | osteosarcoma patients | - | aiding in decreasing therapeutic toxicities | #10 |
Melatonin, an endogenous neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, has received increased interest due to its potential anti-cancer properties. Apart from its well-known role in the sleep-wake cycle, extensive scientific evidence has shown its role in various physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation. Additionally, melatonin has demonstrated promising potential as an anti-cancer agent as its function includes inhibition of tumorigenesis, induction of apoptosis, and regulation of anti-tumor immune response. Although a precise pathophysiological mechanism is yet to be established, several pathways related to the regulation of cell cycle progression, DNA repair mechanisms, and antioxidant activity have been implicated in the anti-neoplastic potential of melatonin. In the current manuscript, we focus on the potential anti-cancer properties of melatonin and its use in treating and managing pediatric osteosarcoma. This aggressive bone tumor primarily affects children and adolescents and is treated mainly by surgical and radio-oncological interventions, which has improved survival rates among affected individuals. Significant disadvantages to these interventions include disease recurrence, therapy-related toxicity, and severe/debilitating side effects that the patients have to endure, significantly affecting their quality of life. Melatonin has therapeutic effects when used for treating osteosarcoma, attributed to its ability to halt cancer cell proliferation and trigger apoptotic cell death, thereby enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the antioxidative function of melatonin alleviates harmful side effects of chemotherapy-induced oxidative damage, aiding in decreasing therapeutic toxicities. The review concisely explains the many mechanisms by which melatonin targets osteosarcoma, as evidenced by significant results from several in vitro and animal models. Nevertheless, if further explored, human trials remain a challenge that could shed light and support its utility as an adjunctive therapeutic modality for treating osteosarcoma.