Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review

Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. This disease is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, which leads to damage to various tissues and organs of the body. The formation of vascular-like structures (vascular mimicry) is one o...

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Main Authors: Nazila Fathi Maroufi, Mohsen Rashidi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
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Online Access:http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21658-en.pdf
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author Nazila Fathi Maroufi
Mohsen Rashidi
author_facet Nazila Fathi Maroufi
Mohsen Rashidi
author_sort Nazila Fathi Maroufi
collection DOAJ
description Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. This disease is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, which leads to damage to various tissues and organs of the body. The formation of vascular-like structures (vascular mimicry) is one of the most important reasons for cancer metastasis and drug resistance. These structures are formed by tumor cells without the involvement of endothelial cells. Melatonin, a natural hormone in the human body, can exert its antitumor effects through antioxidant, antiproliferative effects, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The anticancer effects of apatinib have been approved as an antiangiogenic drug and VEGF receptor inhibitor. Apatinib is first used for advanced or metastatic cancers, such as gastric cancer, that have not responded to standard treatments. In addition, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of metastasis, and invasion have also been confirmed by treatment with apatinib in cancer. Considering the antitumor effects of melatonin and apatinib, it seems that the drug apatinib and the hormone melatonin are effective in inhibiting the formation of vascular mimicry and overcoming the therapeutic limitations caused by these structures. This review study examined the effects of melatonin and apatinib on the formation of vascular mimicry structures in various cancers. It is suggested that these two compounds enter the animal and then human study phases, and if the results are positive, they could be used as a treatment for patients with metastatic cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-0d227f2a28964dcf87a8c8fe646eacdf2025-08-20T01:51:02ZengMazandaran University of Medical SciencesJournal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences1735-92601735-92792025-05-0135244194209Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A ReviewNazila Fathi Maroufi0Mohsen Rashidi1 PhD in Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. This disease is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, which leads to damage to various tissues and organs of the body. The formation of vascular-like structures (vascular mimicry) is one of the most important reasons for cancer metastasis and drug resistance. These structures are formed by tumor cells without the involvement of endothelial cells. Melatonin, a natural hormone in the human body, can exert its antitumor effects through antioxidant, antiproliferative effects, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The anticancer effects of apatinib have been approved as an antiangiogenic drug and VEGF receptor inhibitor. Apatinib is first used for advanced or metastatic cancers, such as gastric cancer, that have not responded to standard treatments. In addition, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of metastasis, and invasion have also been confirmed by treatment with apatinib in cancer. Considering the antitumor effects of melatonin and apatinib, it seems that the drug apatinib and the hormone melatonin are effective in inhibiting the formation of vascular mimicry and overcoming the therapeutic limitations caused by these structures. This review study examined the effects of melatonin and apatinib on the formation of vascular mimicry structures in various cancers. It is suggested that these two compounds enter the animal and then human study phases, and if the results are positive, they could be used as a treatment for patients with metastatic cancer.http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21658-en.pdfmelatoninapatinibvascular mimicrycancer
spellingShingle Nazila Fathi Maroufi
Mohsen Rashidi
Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
melatonin
apatinib
vascular mimicry
cancer
title Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review
title_full Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review
title_fullStr Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review
title_short Melatonin and Apatinib: Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment through Vascular Mimicry Formation: A Review
title_sort melatonin and apatinib potential therapeutic agents in cancer treatment through vascular mimicry formation a review
topic melatonin
apatinib
vascular mimicry
cancer
url http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21658-en.pdf
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