Ramelteon, a selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist, suppresses the proliferation and invasiveness of endometrial cancer cells

• Published in: Human cell : official journal of Human Cell Research Society Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 209 - 215
• Main Authors: Osanai, Kiyono, Kobayashi, Yoichi, Otsu, Masahiro, Izawa, Tomoko, Sakai, Keiji, Iwashita, Mitsutoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.07.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cancer; Cell Biology; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Depression, Chemical; Endometrial cancer; Endometrial Neoplasms - pathology; Endometrium; Estrogens; Female; Gelatinase A; Gelatinase B; Gene Expression; Gynecology; Hormone replacement therapy; Humans; Indenes - pharmacology; Invasiveness; Life Sciences; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Melatonin; Neoplasm Invasiveness - genetics; Oncology; Pineal gland; Receptor, Melatonin, MT1 - agonists; Receptor, Melatonin, MT2 - agonists; Reproductive Medicine; Research Article; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Stem Cells; Surgery; Melatonin; Ramelteon; Melatonin receptor agonist; Endometrial cancer; HHUA
• ISSN: 1749-0774; 0914-7470; 1749-0774
• DOI: 10.1007/s13577-017-0169-7

The incidence of endometrial cancer is increasing, making it the fifth most common cancer worldwide. To date, however, there is no standard therapy for patients with recurrent endometrial cancer. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in various tumor types. Although melatonin is available as a supplement, it has not been approved for cancer treatment. Ramelteon, a selective melatonin receptor type 1 and 2 (MT1/MT2) receptor agonist, has been approved to treat sleep disorders, suggesting that ramelteon may be effective in the treatment of endometrial cancer. To determine whether this agent may be effective in the treatment of endometrial cancer, this study investigated the ability of ramelteon to suppress the proliferation and invasiveness of HHUA cells, an estrogen receptor-positive endometrial cancer cell line. Ramelteon at 10 −8 M maximally suppressed the proliferation of HHUA cells, reducing the percentage of Ki-67 positive proliferating cells. This effect was completely blocked by luzindole, a MT1/MT2 receptor antagonist. Furthermore, ramelteon inhibited HHUA cell invasion and reduced the expression of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggested that ramelteon may be a candidate for the treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer, with activity similar to that of melatonin.