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The Pineal Gland and Cancer pp 259–274Cite as

Role of Extrapineal Melatonin and Related APUD Series Peptides in Malignancy

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Abstract

During the last decade, attention has centered on melatonin (MT), one of the hormones of the diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES) which for many years was considered only as a hormone of the pineal gland. Currently, MT has been identified not only in the pineal gland but also in extrapineal tissues such as the retina, harderian gland, gut mucosa, cerebellum, airway epithelium, liver, kidney, adrenals, thymus, thyroid, pancreas, ovary, testis, carotid body, placenta, and endometrium as well as in nonendocrine cells like mast cells, natural killer cells, eosinophilic leukocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells. The above list of the cells storing MT indicates that MT has a unique position among the hormones of the DNES, being found in practically all organ systems. Functionally, MT-producing cells are certain to be part and parcel of the DNES as a universal system of response and control of protection to the organism. Taking into account the large number of MT-producing cells in many organs, the wide spectrum of its biological activities and, especially, its main property as a universal regulator of biological rhythms, it should be possible to consider extrapineal MT as a key paracrine signal molecule for the local coordination of intercellular relationships. Analysis of the experimental results described here shows the direct participation and active role of extrapineal MT and related APUD hormones in both the pathogenesis of tumor growth and the modification of antitumor therapy.

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  1. Igor M. Kvetnoy
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  2. Tatiana V. Kvetnaia
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  3. Vadim V. Yuzhakov
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, University of Tübingen, Ob dem Himmelreich 7, Tübingen, 72074, Germany

    Christian Bartsch  & Hella Bartsch  & 

  2. Laboratory of Experimental Neuroendocrinology/Oncology, Bassett Research Institute, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, USA

    David E. Blask Ph.D.,M.D. (Senior Research Scientist) (Senior Research Scientist)

  3. Department of Physiology Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires, 121, Argentina

    Daniel P. Cardinali M.D.,Ph.D.

  4. WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, University of South Carolina, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA

    William J. M. Hrushesky M.D. (Director of Research (151) (Director of Research (151)

  5. Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, Tübingen, 72076, Germany

    Dieter Mecke (Director) (Director)

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Kvetnoy, I.M., Kvetnaia, T.V., Yuzhakov, V.V. (2001). Role of Extrapineal Melatonin and Related APUD Series Peptides in Malignancy. In: Bartsch, C., Bartsch, H., Blask, D.E., Cardinali, D.P., Hrushesky, W.J.M., Mecke, D. (eds) The Pineal Gland and Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59512-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59512-7_12

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