Antidepressants: influence on cancer and immunity?
Two decades ago, it was hypothesized that antidepressants could alter the course of neoplastic diseases. However, contradictory findings indicated that antidepressants could either have carcinogenic properties or improve the disease outcome. Intriguingly, controversial results were reported on the action of antidepressant drugs on immune function. Further hypotheses proposed that antidepressants could indirectly affect the cancer prognosis through the modulation of antitumor activity. Here we review the literature in order to elucidate the influence of antidepressants on cancer and immunity.
Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina. luciana.frick@conicet.gov.ar
Luciana Romina
LR
Frick
Maximiliano
M
Rapanelli
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015538:Nitrosation / Q000187:drug effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
D000928:Antidepressive Agents