The effects of melatonin supplementation on oral squamous cell carcinoma: current knowledge and future perspectives

Backgrounds and Objectives: On the basis of worldwide ranking, oral cancer is the eighth most prevalent cancer. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a cancer that occurs following dysplasia of the mucosa of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Melatonin, a proven anticancer agent, exhibits numerous functions including induction of apoptosis pathways and oxidative stress. This review summarizes current knowledge and evidence regarding the effects of melatonin on OSCC and the mechanisms involved. Search Method: Databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched until September 31th, 2018. Keywords used in this study were melatonin and Oral squamous cell carcinoma. Finding: In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated melatonin supplementation as an appropriate therapeutic approach for OSCC. Melatonin might inhibit cancer cells through the regulation of molecular pathways including AKT/mTOR pathway, ERK/AKT signaling, LSD1 expression and tumor-associated neutrophils releasing. Conclusion: Pre-clinical studies showed that administration of melatonin supplementation had beneficial effects on OSCC thorough some molecular mechanisms. Addition in vivo studies and clinical trials are required to evaluate the therapeutic potential of melatonin in the treatment of patients with OSCC and evaluating different mechanisms involved such as cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and inflammation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Melatonin ، oral squamous cell carcinoma ، metastasis ، neutrophils ، oxidative