Melatonin sensitizes human malignant glioma cells against TRAIL-induced cell death

Abstract

Despite the common expression of death receptors, many types of cancer including gliomas are resistant to the death receptor ligand (TRAIL).

Melatonin antitumoral actions have been extensively described, including oncostatic properties on several tumor types and improvement of chemotherapeutic regimens.

Here, we found that melatonin effectively increase cell sensitivity to TRAIL-induced cell apoptosis in A172 and U87 human glioma cells.

The effect seems to be related to a modulation of PKC activity which in turns decreases Akt activation leading to an increase in death receptor 5 (DR5) levels and a decrease in the antiapoptotic proteins survivin and bcl-2 levels.

 

 

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See also:

- About Melatonin;

- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;

- Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV – WHO 2007): a case of complete objective response achieved by means of the concomitant administration of Somatostatin and Octreotide – Retinoids – Vitamin E – Vitamin D3 – Vitamin C – Melatonin – D2 R agonists (Di Bella Method – DBM) associated with Temozolomide.