Melatonin: An anticancer molecule in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A mechanistic review

Several factors impact the mortality rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancers including late diagnosis, metastases to distance sites, and lack of efficacy of the conventional therapies. To reduce mortality rate, the novel effective remedies should be explored. Melatonin is an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and oncostatic molecule and has been showed potential in controlling various malignancies. In the gastrointestinal tract, melatonin plays an important role via its membrane receptors of MT1 and MT2. It can diminish esophageal lesions resulting from acid–pepsin–bile contact and also inhibits expression of myosin light chain kinase as well as reduces its activity by regulating extracellular signal-transduction of protein kinase. The aim of the present study was to review the critical functions of melatonin in the prevention and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma including its influence on gastrointestinal pathology, oncostatic role and potential mechanisms. Particularly, the inhibitory function of melatonin on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its therapeutic effects are summarized. We suggest that melatonin co-treatment will enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments and survival times in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.