Comparison of the Anti-tumor Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors as Well as Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Biol Pharm Bull. 2015;38(9):1410-4. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00128.

Abstract

The anti-tumor effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on several types of cancer cells have been reported. However, comparison of the anti-tumor effects of these drugs on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells has not been studied. We compared the anti-tumor effects of four SSRIs and two SNRIs on HepG2 cells. SSRIs and duloxetine dose-dependently decreased cell viability. Milnacipran had no effect on cell viability. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration was lower in the order of: sertraline, paroxetine, duloxetine, fluvoxamine, escitalopram, and milnacipran. Exposure to sertraline (2 µM) significantly increased caspase-3/7 activity. These results suggest that, of the agents tested here, sertraline had the highest sensitivity to HepG2 cells, and activation of the caspase pathway is involved in the anti-tumor effects of sertraline in HepG2 cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Caspase 7 / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Citalopram / pharmacology
  • Cyclopropanes / pharmacology
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride / pharmacology
  • Fluvoxamine / pharmacology
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Milnacipran
  • Paroxetine / pharmacology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Sertraline / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
  • Citalopram
  • Paroxetine
  • Duloxetine Hydrochloride
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 7
  • Milnacipran
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Sertraline