Researchers Discover Unusual Effect of Antidepressants
Blocking one enzyme can stop the spread of metastases.
An antidepressant may combat the spread of metastases in prostate cancer, American researchers have found. Scientists around the world are constantly working on new ways to treat oncological diseases. An unexpected discovery suggested that fighting metastases in prostate cancer could be aided by… taking antidepressants. A detailed publication on this was published in the journal Cancer Cell.
It's All About the Enzyme
In prostate cancer, metastases typically affect bone tissue. The enzyme known as MAO-A facilitates the penetration of cancer cells into bone tissue. It is also responsible for a range of behavioral disorders, including depressive states. Thus, the action of many medications that correct the manifestations of depression is aimed at reducing the production of MAO-A. Researchers working on prostate cancer are particularly interested in this distinctive characteristic of antidepressants, and they decided to test their effectiveness in combating the spread of cancer to bone tissues.
Co-author of the study Jason Wu explains: “During the experiments, we reduced the production of the enzyme MAO-A by the body, and it turned out that its deficiency hinders the spread of cancer in bone tissues. When we provoked its increase, metastases in the bones began to develop faster.”
To continue the research, scientists tested a number of antidepressants that suppress the production of MAO-A and chose a medication that was once actively prescribed for depression – “Clorgyline.” This drug acts as an inhibitor, meaning it slows down the production of the MAO-A enzyme, thereby reducing the ability of cancer cells to penetrate bone tissues.
Currently, the research is at the stage of experiments on mice. Jason Wu asserts that there is a lot of work ahead to determine the exact composition, dosage, and method of administering the enzyme inhibitor. Only after this will scientists begin clinical trials aimed at determining the effectiveness of the drug in humans. But even now, says Jason Wu, it can be said that there is potential for using the “old” antidepressant in the treatment of late-stage prostate cancer with bone involvement.
In addition to “Clorgyline,” there are other antidepressants used in clinical practice that act similarly, that is, they suppress the production of the MAO-A enzyme. Analogues of “Clorgyline” are also being studied thoroughly.
The discovery has allowed scientists to speak of broad possibilities in the search for anticancer drugs among existing medications.