Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1 Department of Forensic Toxicology, Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
Abstract
Background: While numerous studies have delved into the cytotoxic effects of morphine on cancer cells, this forthcoming study undertook a systematic review of cytotoxic effects of morphine on cancer cells to attain a more precise estimation.
Methods: The research articles were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases spanning from 1999 to November 20, 2024.The selection criteria were established according to the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).
Results: The results of this study show that morphine reduces the survival and increases the apoptosis of lung, uterine, ovarian, liver, breast, stomach, pancreas, neuroblastoma and mouth cancer cells. The mechanisms underlying this cytotoxicity may involve the modulation of apoptosis pathways, cell cycle arrest, free radical production, increased expression of apoptotic genes and inhibition of cell proliferation. These effects were observed in a dose-dependent manner, with higher concentrations of morphine often leading to increased cytotoxicity in cancer cells. In contrast, morphine increases the survival and decreases the apoptosis of breast, lung, bladder, endothelial and pancreatic cancer cells.
Conclusion: Morphine can induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation in some cancer cells, while in others it may promote cancer progression through inflammation, immune suppression, and metastasis. Further studies are needed to clarify its mechanisms and evaluate its safe therapeutic use in cancer.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)