Effects of morphine on tumour growth.
Endogenous opiate alkaloids, such as morphine, and their peptide counterparts have been implicated in a wide variety of pharmacological and physiological functions. In addition to their use in the treatment of pain, opioids, appears to be important in the growth regulation of normal and neoplastic tissue. This review will focus on the influence of endogenous and exogenous opioids on tumour growth, with emphasis on immunoregulatory and antiproliferative mechanisms.
Rasmussen
Mads
M
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. mads@akhphd.au.dk
Zhu
Wei
W
Tønnesen
Jan
J
Cadet
Patrick
P
Tønnesen
Else
E
Stefano
George B
GB
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine