From the Guidelines
Natural serotonin blockers for cancer treatment are not well established, however, some options can be considered.
Available Options
- Somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide acetate, are effective in controlling symptoms from carcinoid syndrome, which is caused by ectopic serotonin production in some patients with neuroendocrine tumors 1.
- Serotonin receptor blockers are also used to control symptoms from carcinoid syndrome, although the specific natural blockers are not well defined in the provided evidence.
Context of Use
These options are typically used in the context of carcinoid syndrome, which is characterized by skin flushing, secretory diarrhea, and bronchoconstriction, and can be precipitated by chemotherapy, biopsy, anesthesia, surgery, or adrenergic drugs 1.
Important Considerations
- The use of these options should be guided by the specific clinical context and the individual patient's needs, as the evidence is not strong enough to support a single, universal approach.
- 5-HT3 serotonin receptor antagonists are commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy, but their role as natural serotonin blockers in cancer treatment is not well established 1.
From the Research
Natural Serotonin Blockers for Cancer Treatment
Some natural compounds have been identified as potential serotonin blockers for cancer treatment, including:
- Selective antagonists of multiple serotonergic system pathway components required for serotonin biosynthesis, transport, activity via multiple 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs), and catabolism, which have been shown to reduce the viability of breast cancer stem cells 2
- Inhibitors of serotonin release, such as octreotide, which is used in well-differentiated neuroendocrine cancers 3
- Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitors, such as telotristat, which is currently being investigated in clinical trials to treat patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and advanced cholangiocarcinoma 3
- 5-HT receptor antagonists, which have been shown to have an anticancer effect in various cancers, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, urinary bladder, colorectal cancer, carcinoid, and small-cell lung cancer 3
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action of these natural serotonin blockers involves:
- Blocking the serotonin-induced signaling pathways that promote tumor progression, such as the RhoA-ROCK1/2 signaling pathway 4
- Inhibiting the expression of specific receptor subtypes associated with different fundamental stages of tumor progression, such as the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors 5
- Reducing the levels of serotonin in the tumor, which has been shown to play a crucial role in cancer progression 6
Potential Therapeutic Targets
The serotonin pathway has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment, with several compounds being investigated for their anticancer effects, including:
- Selective serotonin receptor antagonists
- Inhibitors of serotonin release
- Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitors
- Compounds that reduce the levels of serotonin in the tumor 3