Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38943041›Full record

ReviewClinical and translational medicine2024

Serotonin signalling in cancer: Emerging mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

Lulu Chen, Shuting Huang, Xiaoxue Wu, Weiling He, Mei Song

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical and translational medicine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
30citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

30 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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  9. Review
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  11. Article
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  14. Review
  15. Modulation of the Mechanosensory Matrisome by Serotonergic Signaling.Results and problems in cell differentiation · 2026
    Review
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Targetable pathways for drug repurposing in gastric cancer.World journal of gastroenterology · 2025
    Review
  19. Article
  20. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Lulu ChenDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Shuting HuangSchool of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Xiaoxue WuDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Weiling HeDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Mei SongInstitute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.ORCID 0000-0003-2419-667X

Funding

Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2021B1515230009Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2024A1515013156National Key Research and Development Plan 2022YFC3401000National Natural Science Foundation of China 82022037National Natural Science Foundation of China 82303923
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSerotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is a multifunctional bioamine serving as a neurotransmitter, peripheral hormone and mitogen in the vertebrate system. It has pleiotropic activities in central nervous system and gastrointestinal function via an orchestrated action of serotonergic elements, particularly serotonin receptor-mediated signalling cascades. The mitogenic properties of serotonin have garnered recognition for years and have been exploited for repurposing serotonergic-targeted drugs in cancer therapy. However, emerging conflicting findings necessitate a more comprehensive elucidation of serotonin's role in cancer pathogenesis. MAIN BODY AND

conclusionHere, we provide an overview of the biosynthesis, metabolism and action modes of serotonin. We summarise our current knowledge regarding the effects of the peripheral serotonergic system on tumourigenesis, with a specific emphasis on its immunomodulatory activities in human cancers. We also discuss the dual roles of serotonin in tumour pathogenesis and elucidate the potential of serotonergic drugs, some of which display favourable safety profiles and impressive efficacy in clinical trials, as a promising avenue in cancer treatment. KEY POINTS: Primary synthesis and metabolic routes of peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine in the gastrointestinal tract. Advanced research has established a strong association between the serotonergic components and carcinogenic mechanisms. The interplay between serotonergic signalling and the immune system within the tumour microenvironment orchestrates antitumour immune responses. Serotonergic-targeted drugs offer valuable clinical options for cancer therapy.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsSerotoninSignal TransductionHumansSerotoninimmunomodulatory functionserotonergic drugsserotoninserotonylationtumourigenesis

Identifiers

PMID38943041
PMCPMC11213692

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.