amitriptyline

The anticancer potential of psychiatric drugs seems to be extremely broad, and the most extensive anticancer literature has been reported on antidepressants (fluoxetine, amitriptyline, imipramine, mirtazapine, and St John's Wort) and antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, pimozide, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine)...Among antidementia drugs, memantine has documented anticancer effects, while there is limited evidence for galantamine. Of the new psychiatric substances, the antipsychotic drug brexpiprazole and the antidepressant vortioxetine have a very interesting body of literature regarding glioblastoma, based on in vitro and in vivo animal survival studies...The anticancer properties of psychiatric drugs may prove particularly useful in the period between chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions to maintain the tumor-inhibitory effect. While further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms, clinical implications, dose-dependence of the effect, and clear guidelines for the use of psychiatric medications in cancer therapy, the potential for these commonly prescribed medications to contribute to cancer treatment enhances their value in the management of patients facing the dual challenges of mental health and cancer.

P2, N=132, Completed, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati | Active, not recruiting --> Completed

P2, N=13, Completed, Institut Claudius Regaud | Active, not recruiting --> Completed | Trial completion date: Jan 2026 --> Apr 2025 | Trial primary completion date: Jan 2026 --> Apr 2025

This study systematically evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of six clinically used antidepressants (escitalopram, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, desvenlafaxine, and duloxetine) in 4T1 (murine triple negative) and MCF-7 (human ER+/HER2-) breast cancer cells...Although less potent than docetaxel, duloxetine still exhibited significant anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and pro-apoptotic effects...Additionally, duloxetine promotes apoptosis by upregulating Bax and downregulating Bcl-2 expression both in vitro and in vivo. These findings reveal that duloxetine exerts anti-breast cancer effects through inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling and promoting Bax/Bcl-2-mediated apoptosis, highlighting its potential for therapeutic repurposing as an adjunct treatment-particularly, in breast cancer patients with coexisting depression.

Finally, molecular docking simulations (AutoDock Vina v1.2.7, AlphaFold structures) provided structural evidence for AT interactions with key targets including TRPV1. Collectively, these findings suggest that pharmacological inhibition or environmental accumulation of AT may contribute to inflammatory skin reactions and pancreatic tumorigenesis through multiple converging molecular pathways.

P=N/A, N=40, Recruiting, Cairo University

P3, N=1, Terminated, University of Missouri, Kansas City | N=30 --> 1 | Trial completion date: Dec 2025 --> May 2025 | Recruiting --> Terminated; The PI is retiring.

P3, N=42, Not yet recruiting, McMaster University

P3, N=50, Completed, LaTrobe University | Recruiting --> Completed

P2, N=13, Active, not recruiting, Institut Claudius Regaud | Recruiting --> Active, not recruiting | N=130 --> 13

A variety of chemotherapeutic agents can contribute to the development of CIPN, including vinca alkaloids, platinum-based antineoplastic agents, epothilones (ixabepilone), proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib), taxanes, and immunomodulatory drugs (thalidomide), along with the genetic factors...Pharmacological interventions, such as anticonvulsants, gabapentin, and pregabalin, are commonly used to manage neuropathic pain. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and nortriptyline can be effective, but their use may be limited due to side effects...The lidocaine or capsaicin creams and patches can provide localized pain relief...Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation are invasive procedures that may be considered for severe, intractable pain. Complementary therapies and cognitive-behavioural therapy can help patients cope with pain and improve their quality of life.

Conversely, the CUMS group exhibited a significant increase in Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, indicating enhanced inflammatory response, which is also associated with depression. Treatment with the combination of amantadine and amitriptyline resulted in a significant antidepressant-like effect, as demonstrated by improved behavioral parameters and normalization of this biomarker the increase in BDNF and NE levels along with a reduction in TNF-α.