Low-dose naltrexone plays antineoplastic role in cervical cancer progression through suppressing PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Transl Oncol. 2021 Apr;14(4):101028. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101028. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Abstract

The incidence of cervical cancer is increasing annually worldwide. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been reported to delay tumor progression, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found that low-dose naltrexone could upregulate the expression of OGFr. Additionally, LDN could suppress the abilities of colony formation, migration and invasion in cervical cancer cells. LDN could also inhibit cervical cancer progression in mice model. Moreover, LDN indirectly reduced the expressions of PI3K, pAKT and mTOR in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, LDN may be considered a potential treatment option for cervical cancer.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Invasion; Low-dose naltrexone; PI3K/AKT/mTOR; Proliferation.