Posted by linkadge on August 12, 2008, at 20:35:38
In cancer, the goal is to reduce the overall survival of certain cells. For instance, certain targets aim to reduce levels of protein kinase C and BCL-2 levels within tumor cells. With antidepressant therapy howver, the goal (may be) to do the exact opposite - to increase cellular survival. For instance, many antidepressants upregulate protein kinase C and BCL-2 levels within the cell. Seeing as antidepressants are not selective to neural tissue they can theoretically increase these enzymes in cells throughout the body. Is it possible that antidepressants may contribute to tumor growth / resiliance through the activation of cellular proliferation and survuval mechanisms? Is this a possable alternative explaination for the increased risks of cancer found in certain studies of depressed patients treated with antidepressants?
I ask because one study suggested that amitryptline increased the growth of tumors in certain rats in a PKC dependant manner. Certain hormones and steroids increase the risk of certain cancers with a similar mechanism.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:845799
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080805/msgs/845799.html