Melatonin for gastric cancer treatment: where do we stand?

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading reason of death in men and the fourth in women. Studies have documented an inhibitory function of melatonin on the proliferation, progression and invasion of GC cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play an important function in regulation of biological processes and gene expression of the cells. Some studies reported that melatonin can suppress the progression of GC by regulating the exosomal miRNAs. Thus, melatonin represents a promising potential therapeutic agent for subjects with GC. Herein, we evaluate the existing data of both in vivo and in vitro studies to clarify the molecular processes involved in the therapeutic effects of melatonin in GC. The data emphasize the critical function of melatonin in several signaling ways by which it may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease chemo-resistance, induce apoptosis as well as limit invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review provides a resource that identifies some of the mechanisms by which melatonin controls GC enlargement. In light of the findings, melatonin should be considered a novel and testable therapeutic mediator for GC treatment.