Title:Serotonin and Cancer: What Is the Link?
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Author(s): D. Sarrouilhe, J. Clarhaut, N. Defamie and M. Mesnil
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Angiogenesis, carcinogenesis, carcinoid, carcinoma, chemotherapy, neuroendocrine cells, serotonin,
tumour suppressor.
Abstract: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a biogenic monoamine that acts as
a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, local mediator in the gut and
vasoactive agent in the blood. Serotonin exerts its multiple, sometimes opposing actions
through interaction with a multiplicity of receptors coupled to various signalling
pathways. In addition to its well-known functions, serotonin has been shown to be a
mitogenic factor for a wide range of normal and tumoral cells. Serotonin exhibits a
growth stimulatory effect in aggressive cancers and carcinoids more often through 5-
HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. In contrast, low doses of serotonin can inhibit tumour growth
via the decrease of blood supply to the tumour, suggesting that the role of serotonin on
tumour growth is concentration-dependent. Data are also available on serotonin
involvement in cancer cell migration, metastatic processes and as a mediator of
angiogenesis. Moreover, the progression of some tumours is accompanied by a dysregulation of the pattern of
serotonin receptor expressions. Serum serotonin level was found to be suitable for prognosis evaluation of
urothelial carcinoma in the urinary bladder, adenocarcinoma of the prostate and renal cell carcinoma. In some
cases, antagonists of serotonin receptors, inhibitors of selective serotonin transporter and of serotonin
synthesis have been successfully used to prevent cancer cell growth. This review revaluates serotonin
involvement in several types of cancer and at different stages of their progression.
