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. 2022 Mar 29;23(7):3779. doi: 10.3390/ijms23073779

Table 2.

Melatonin in combination with other anticancer therapies.

Combination Therapy Melatonin Effect Mechanisms of Action Reference
Mel + chemotherapy
  • Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis

  • Inhibition of cellular PrPC

[91]
  • Inhibition of cell growth; induction of apoptosis

  • Upregulation of miR-215-5p and a concomitant downregulation of TYMS

[92]
  • Enhancing the cytotoxic effects

  • Destruction of HER2 protein

[93]
  • Inhibition of cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; induction of apoptosis

  • Regulating EZH2 expression

[96]
  • Suppressing autophagy

  • Inhibition of NR4A1, CTSL, and Atg12

[97]
  • Induction of apoptosis and autophagy

  • Decreasing AMPK α1 expression

[98]
Mel + radiotherapy
  • Counteracting the inhibitory effect of radiation on preadipocytes’ differentiation

  • Increasing C/EBPα, PPARγ expression; decreasing TNFα expression

[99]
  • Prolonging the survival time; improving the quality of life of patients

  • Reducing radiotherapy-related toxicities

[100]
Mel + cancer vaccination
  • Enhancing cancer vaccine efficiency

  • Inhibiting IL-10 and VEGF expression level

[103]
  • Enhancing the antitumor protective immunity of vaccine

  • Improving the numbers of circulating E7-specific CD8+ T cells in mice

[104]
Mel + immunotherapy
  • Enhancing IL-2 antitumor immune effect

  • Increasing the susceptibility of cancer cells to the cytolysis

[107]
  • Improving the immune response

  • Stimulating lymphocyte proliferation; inhibiting macrophage-induced inflammatory status

[110]