Abstract
Within the last ten years, there has been a growing body of data on the potential of neurotransmitter blockers as promising components of comprehensive cancer treatment. Neurotransmitters play an important role in the intercellular communication of the various tumor cells: malignant epithelial cells, myofibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, stromal cells, and endothelial cells of the tumor vasculature. In particular, they are responsible for the cells’ resistance to chemotherapy.
The carcinogenic effect of n-cholinergic receptor stimulation is well known. Some data confirms that m-cholinomimetics can promote tumor growth, and in some non-clinical trials, blocking the m- and n- acetylcholine receptors improved chemotherapy outcomes. The pro-oncogenic effect of catecholamine neurotransmitters is also well known. Dopamine participates in the regulation of cancer cell migration and metastasis. Both dopamine agonists and antagonists show anticancer effects, and dopamine antagonists affect cancer stem cells, but do not interfere with the cells of the healthy tissues. Serotonin promotes tumor growth and also contributes to the malignant transformation of precancer cells, i.e. to cancer initiation.
This review article is a comprehensive summary of the current situation in this fairly new field of cancer therapy.
Keywords
Cancer, Neurotransmitters, Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Neurotransmitter agonists, Neurotransmitter antagonists