Journal Article Summary
The article investigates the potential of repurposing the antidepressant sertraline as a treatment for certain types of breast cancer that rely heavily on the internal production of serine and glycine, amino acids essential for cancer cell growth. This metabolic dependency is significant because it presents a unique target for therapy, especially since many existing drugs targeting this pathway have not progressed to clinical trials due to poor pharmacokinetics. By exploring sertraline's ability to inhibit specific enzymes involved in serine/glycine synthesis, the study aims to provide a new, cost-effective treatment option for patients with these cancer types.
The researchers utilized a yeast model to screen for compounds that could selectively target cancer cells dependent on serine/glycine synthesis. They identified sertraline and thimerosal as effective inhibitors, demonstrating that sertraline specifically impairs the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines that synthesize their own serine and glycine. The study found that sertraline works by inhibiting the enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), which is crucial for converting serine to glycine, thereby disrupting the cancer cells' metabolic processes. Additionally, combining sertraline with mitochondrial inhibitors further enhanced its anti-cancer effects in mouse models, suggesting a promising avenue for combination therapies.
However, the study has limitations, including the need for further validation in clinical settings to confirm the safety and efficacy of sertraline as a cancer treatment. Patients should be aware that while sertraline is already an approved medication for depression, its use in cancer therapy is still experimental. It is essential for patients and caregivers to discuss any potential treatment changes with healthcare professionals, particularly regarding the implications of combining sertraline with other medications and the monitoring of side effects.
Medication Safety Note
This journal article summary is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Article Cited
- Geeraerts Shauni Lien, Kampen Kim Rosalie, Rinaldi Gianmarco, Gupta Purvi, Planque Mélanie, Louros Nikolaos, Heylen Elien, De Cremer Kaat, et al.. Repurposing the antidepressant sertraline as SHMT inhibitor to suppress serine/glycine synthesis addicted breast tumor growth. Molecular cancer therapeutics 2021. DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-20-0480. PMID: 33203732. PMCID: PMC7611204.
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