Sertraline, an Antidepressant Helps in Inhibiting Cancer Cells in Lab Animals, Study Says

KU Leuven Researchers from Belgium discovered that existing antidepressant aid in impeding the growth of cancer cells. According to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, the process starts with the metabolic addiction to the amino acids serine and glycine, which some types of cancer development to thrive.

(Photo : Vachagan Malkhasyan)

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According to the release, the phenomenon was by a study on the cell structures and lab animals. The release further said that cancer cells use different kinds of mechanisms in stimulating their development. They added that in certain types of leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, skin cancer, and others, they said that the malignant cells produce large amounts of the said amino acids.

Head of the Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer (LDMC), Professor Kim De Keersmaecker, Ph.D., said in the release that the mechanism is an interesting target because cancer cells are dependent on it. She added that healthy cells use the mechanism to a lesser extent and take up serine glycine from food. She further said that this is not enough for cancer cells; however, the mechanism starts producing more. She stressed that if the production can be stopped, fighting cancer without affecting the healthy cells will be possible.

Methods and results of the study

According to the release, the researchers looked for a substance that will influence serine and glycine synthesis, which made them use a database of existing medications. The release said that the Center for Microbial and Plant Genetics' (CMPG) research group led by Professor Bruno Cammue examined substances from 1600 yeast cells in the first phase of the study. Research coordinator Dr. Karin Thevissen explains that yeasts and molds also depend on the same mechanism, so the researchers used them. She also noted that certain yeasts produce the said amino acids for them to protect themselves against antifungals.

The release also said that the antidepressant sertraline is the most effective substance. Researchers also mentioned in the release that other studies have already specified that sertraline has a certain anti-cancer ability. However, they emphasized that there is no explanation for that yet. They also emphasized that their study demonstrates that sertraline inhibits serine and glycine production that causes the growth of cancer cells. The release further said that the researchers could determine that the said substance is most effective when with other therapeutic agents. They also emphasized that when sertraline was used in mice and other therapy, it robustly inhibited the development of breast cancer cells.

What is Sertraline?

According to Medline, plus sertraline is an antidepressant used in treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. WebMD added that this drug could improve the mood, appetite, and energy level and restore the interest in daily living. National Health Service (NHS) further said that sertraline takes 4-6 weeks before it works. They also mentioned some of the drug's side effects, such as feeling sick, trouble sleeping, and headaches.