lahthffire
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Registered: 4-7-2005
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MDMA cures cancer...
... maybe...
I know this doesn't really belong here, but someone wouldn't let me into the whimsy forum, so I stuck it in the next most
appropriate seeming place. If I have offended you by posting slightly off topic, I'm truly sorry.
Anyways, back to what I was saying.
Over at some other site (here) some guy posted the abstract for and links to a certain article. The links don't work, but here's the abstract:
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The serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) is present in B-cell clones of diverse malignant origin: probing a potential antitumor target for psychotropics
Elizabeth J. Meredith, Michelle J. Holder, Anita Chamba, Anita Challa, Adrian Drake Lee, Christopher M. Bunce, Mark T. Drayson, Geoffrey Pilkington,
Randy D. Blakely, Martin J. S. Dyer, Nicholas M. Barnes, and John Gordon
The FASEB Journal Express Article doi:10.1096/fj.04-3477fje
Published online May 3, 2005
Abstract
Following our previous description of the serotonin transporter (SERT) acting as a conduit to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-mediated apoptosis,
specifically in Burkitt's lymphoma, we now detail its expression among a broad spectrum of B cell malignancy, while exploring additional SERT
substrates for potential therapeutic activity. SERT was readily detected in derived B cell lines with origins as diverse as B cell precursor acute
lymphoblastic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Concentration and timecourse kinetics for the
antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities of the amphetamine derivatives fenfluramine (an appetite suppressant) and
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy" revealed them as being
similar to the endogenous indoleamine. A tricyclic antidepressant, clomipramine, instead mirrored the behavior of the selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor fluoxetine, both being effective in the low micromolar range. A majority of neoplastic clones were sensitive to one or more of the
serotonergic compounds. Dysregulated bcl-2 expression, either by t(14;1(q32;q21) translocation or its introduction as a constitutively active
transgene, provided protection from proapoptotic but not antiproliferative outcomes. These data indicate a potential for SERT as a novel anti-tumor
target for amphetamine analogs, while evidence is presented that the seemingly more promising antidepressants are likely impacting malignant B cells
independently of the transporter itself.
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And the general public's introduction can be found here.
Sorry, I don't have anything smart or witty of my own to add, I just thought this could be an interesting topic to initiate!
Edit: !A la verrga! Why can't I get the formatting and code to work? It works half-way?! I give up.
Maybe one of you mods can figure out what the deal is and fix it? I know you love me, vulture!
[Edited on 13-7-2005 by lahthffire]
[Edited on 13-7-2005 by lahthffire]
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chemoleo
Biochemicus Energeticus
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Registered: 23-7-2003
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The original article can be downloaded from Pubmed, I will see if I can get a copy later.
Regardless, do you realise what this article is saying?
It's saying that those cells harbouring the serotonin transporter can be selectively killed (antiproliferative and
proapoptotic), by drugs such as fenfluramine (an appetite suppressant) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy".
In other words, prolonged (ab)use of ecstasy will lead to the selective death of those brain cells harbouring this receptor, including various B-cell
types.
I suppose that may in part explain the problems that occur when people use it too much.
Never Stop to Begin, and Never Begin to Stop...
Tolerance is good. But not with the intolerant! (Wilhelm Busch)
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lahthffire
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| Quote: | Originally posted by chemoleo
...
It's saying that those cells harbouring the serotonin transporter can be selectively killed (antiproliferative and
proapoptotic), by drugs such as fenfluramine (an appetite suppressant) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy".
In other words, prolonged (ab)use of ecstasy will lead to the selective death of those brain cells harbouring this receptor, including various B-cell
types.
... |
Abuse of MDMA may or may not lead to the death of brain cells containing the SERT (serotonin transporter), but I don't think this article is
necessarily suggesting so.
It's not saying that cells harbouring the SERT can be killed with the mentioned amphetamine derivatives, but rather they discuss
it's use as a conduit for transporting these species into the cell where they can trigger the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT,
serotonin) mediated apoptosis. (apoptosis - programmed cell death)
So apparently some cell types contain some mechanism for self destruction which is triggered by serotonin (5-HT). And the drugs they mentioned, which
we already know share similar properties with serotonin in the brain, apparently also are capable of triggering the self-destruct mechanism.
What I get from this article is that the tumor cells of certain types of B-cell malignancies (in other words, certain types of lymphoma) do
undergo this 5-HT mediated apoptosis, and that many amphetamine derivatives (as well as other serotonin related drugs) are also proving to be capable
of doing the mediation. And that identification of malignancies that have the SERT could be a good way of identifying possible candidates for this
type of treatment.
I find it HIGHLY unlikely that our brain cells would ever undergo 5-HT mediated apoptosis, considering that if they did, every second of normal brain
operation would be triggering massive cell death!
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chemoleo
Biochemicus Energeticus
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Location: England Germany
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Attached is the article.
Never Stop to Begin, and Never Begin to Stop...
Tolerance is good. But not with the intolerant! (Wilhelm Busch)
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sparkgap
International Hazard
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Would it be too much to ask if you could please attach the article? 
sparky (~_~)
"What's UTFSE? I keep hearing about it, but I can't be arsed to search for the answer..."
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chemoleo
Biochemicus Energeticus
Posts: 3005
Registered: 23-7-2003
Location: England Germany
Member Is Offline
Mood: crystalline
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Oops sorry I didnt realise I left the post there. Sadly, the article is too big, it's 2.8 MB.
Put it on Rapidshare instead.
http://rapidshare.de/files/3180129/faseb_mdma_in_cancer_ther...
Will comment on it later, when I get some time.
Never Stop to Begin, and Never Begin to Stop...
Tolerance is good. But not with the intolerant! (Wilhelm Busch)
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