Melatonin

褪黑激素(melatonin)為松果體生成之荷爾蒙，主要功能為調節生理時鐘。然而在近年的研究中也被指出具有抗癌、抗氧化及抗發炎的功能。由醫學院呼吸治療學系趙家佳副教授團隊所進行的抗肺癌研究有成，發現褪黑激素在細胞實驗及臨床前小鼠動物實驗中，都能有效抑制肺癌生長及轉移。她的團隊在深入探討後發現褪黑激素是藉由抑制上皮－間質轉化(Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EMT)過程，進而達到抗腫瘤轉移效果。本研究成果期望未來能將褪黑激素應用在臨床肺癌治療中。

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by pineal gland which has various capacities. For example: anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. A research team lead by Dr. Chia-Chia Chao at Department of Respiratory Therapy, has found melatonin can prevent lung cancer growth and metastasis in in vitro and in vivo studies. Dr. Chao’s team also found that the anti-metastatic effects of melatonin was mediated by targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The current finding could develop melatonin as therapeutic strategy against lung cancer in the future.