Cocaine modulates cytokine and enhances tumor growth through sigma receptors

J Neuroimmunol. 2004 Feb;147(1-2):95-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2003.10.020.

Abstract

Sigma receptors are intracellular receptors that interact with a variety of psychotropic ligands, including cocaine. Administration of cocaine to mice promoted the in vivo growth of a syngeneic lung cancer cell line and identical effects were observed with PRE 084, a selective sigma(1) receptor agonist. Increased tumor growth was accompanied by an increase in IL-10 and a decrease in IFN-gamma production in splenocytes and at the tumor site. The tumor-promoting effects produced by both cocaine and PRE 084 were abrogated by administration of specific antibodies to IL-10, or by administration of a sigma(1) receptor antagonist. We conclude that sigma(1) receptor ligands, including cocaine, augment tumor growth via a cytokine-dependent, receptor-mediated mechanism that involves regulation of T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokine balance.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar
  • Anesthetics, Local / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Size / drug effects
  • Cocaine / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Ethylenediamines / pharmacology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Receptors, sigma / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, sigma / immunology*
  • Receptors, sigma / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Transplants

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Antibodies
  • Cytokines
  • Ethylenediamines
  • Morpholines
  • Receptors, sigma
  • Interleukin-10
  • 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate
  • N-(2-(3,4-Dichlorphenyl)ethyl)-N,N',N'-trimethyl-1,2-ethandiamin
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Cocaine