The role of 5-HT metabolism in cancer

Di Ye; Huanji Xu; Qiulin Tang; Hongwei Xia; Chenliang Zhang; Feng Bi

doi:10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188618

The role of 5-HT metabolism in cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2021 Dec;1876(2):188618. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188618. Epub 2021 Aug 21.

Authors

Di Ye¹, Huanji Xu¹, Qiulin Tang¹, Hongwei Xia¹, Chenliang Zhang¹, Feng Bi²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610041, China.
² Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610041, China. Electronic address: bifeng@scu.edu.cn.

PMID: 34428515
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188618

Abstract

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) metabolism has long been linked to tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Numerous studies have shown the functions of 5-HT and its metabolites in the regulation of tumor biological processes like cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, tumor angiogenesis and immunomodulatory through multi-step complex mechanisms. Reprogramming of 5-HT metabolism has been revealed in various tumors paving way for development of drugs that target enzymes, metabolites or receptors involved in 5-HT metabolic pathway. However, information on the role of 5-HT metabolism in cancer is scanty. This review briefly describes the main metabolic routes of 5-HT, the role of 5-HT metabolism in cancer and systematically summarizes the most recent advances in 5-HT metabolism-targeted cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cancer therapy; Metabolism; Serotonin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Neoplasms / metabolism*
Serotonin / metabolism*

Substances

Serotonin