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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 53. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 1:56:30
It appears that Zoloft has a few mechanisms that may work to inhibit the growth of cancer.
More the reason for me to have stayed on the damn drug when it was working for me.
Posted by linkadge on April 4, 2010, at 7:14:51
In reply to Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 1:56:30
You need to be cautious with this informtation. Most antidepressants have both pro and antiapoptotic functions in different cell lines.
For instance, fluoxetine and amitriptyline do kill some cancer cells, but also work as tumor promotors in other cancer cells.
Just like the substance DHEA. It can potently kill certain cancers yet promote the growth of others.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2010, at 11:19:00
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 4, 2010, at 7:14:51
Isn't DHEA like an estrogen? Phillipa
Posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 18:14:59
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 4, 2010, at 7:14:51
The only reason I provided this information is to give some people something positive to feel good about if they happen to be taking Zoloft and it works well for them. I believe Zoloft to be a fairly clean drug low in toxicity. To have 3 different mechanisms that may inhibit growth is fairly promising IMO. Maybe Zoloft can also promote growth in some ways, haven't seen any information on this yet though.
Yes there is evidence that Amitripyline and Prozac can promote tumor growth. There does not yet appear to be any similar evidence for Zoloft.
Posted by bulldog2 on April 4, 2010, at 18:46:15
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 18:14:59
> The only reason I provided this information is to give some people something positive to feel good about if they happen to be taking Zoloft and it works well for them. I believe Zoloft to be a fairly clean drug low in toxicity. To have 3 different mechanisms that may inhibit growth is fairly promising IMO. Maybe Zoloft can also promote growth in some ways, haven't seen any information on this yet though.
>
> Yes there is evidence that Amitripyline and Prozac can promote tumor growth. There does not yet appear to be any similar evidence for Zoloft.Thanks for the info. I don't get the point of the other poster. Zoloft is an entirely different drug than the others mentioned.
Posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 20:46:44
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms » morganator, posted by bulldog2 on April 4, 2010, at 18:46:15
Well I think they did not want me to mislead people. Again, I just thought is would be nice for people taking Zoloft to know that it may have some benefits other that just antidepressant benefits. It's hard for many of us to accept at times that we have to take an antidepressant. As far as Zoloft goes, maybe information like this can make it easier to accept.
Posted by linkadge on April 5, 2010, at 7:41:17
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 20:46:44
Well, I wouldn't be so quick to think of sertraline as being radically different than other SSRI's.
Just because a drug has some direct activity against certain tumor cells does not mean that the drug lowers the overall incidence of cancer.
Remember, SSRI's have effects on the neuroendocrine system. For instance, increasing prolactin can increase the rate of tumor cell growth. Also, sertaline is more likely to induce diabetes than other SSRI's (with the possible exception of paroxetine). Diabetes is an independant risk factor for cancer.
Also, SSRI's decrease melatonin excretion. Melatonin has potent antioxidant and anti cancer effects. Who knows what the long term effects of melatonin supression would have on cancer development.
Also, SSRI's increase the levels of neural BCL-2. High levels of BCL-2 prevent cellular apoptosis (cell death). This is good in depression, where brain cell loss may be part of the pathology, but high levels of BCL-2 are associated with more resistant cancer cells.
So, just because a drug appears to kill certain cancer cell lines with acute application, does not mean that it will lower the overal rate of cancer. (IMHO)
Linkadge
Posted by morganator on April 5, 2010, at 20:21:03
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 5, 2010, at 7:41:17
I would like to see the good hard evidence that SSRIs, especially Zoloft, can lead to diabetes, independent of any other possible causes.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it was not a given that an SSRI would increase prolactin levels. I also read somewhere that Zoloft may be the one SSRI that does not raise prolactin levels. If it does, I believe it is less likely to. Let me do a little search for sources.
It appears that Zoloft is the least likely of all SSRIs to increase prolactin secretion.
I realize SSRIs may decrease melatonin and this is obviously not optimal for overall health. It's funny though, all the years I was doing well on Zoloft I slept soooo good for sooo long. I know this doesn't mean much. I just thought it was worth noting that I slept great on Zoloft(and when I was on Prozac years ago). This is not evidence, even anecdotal, that Zoloft or Prozac was not decreasing melatonin secretion.
Well, I never said Zoloft was perfect, but as far as SSRIs go, I think it has a pretty damn good profile.
Posted by topcatclr on April 6, 2010, at 0:19:23
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by morganator on April 5, 2010, at 20:21:03
Less stress=Less cancer. It's not rocket science!
Posted by linkadge on April 6, 2010, at 18:28:18
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by topcatclr on April 6, 2010, at 0:19:23
>Less stress=Less cancer. It's not rocket science!
You could say the same thing about smoking right??? Smoking calms me down therefore smoking reduces my overall cancer risk.....nonsense. Actually, I think its more complicated than rocket science, hence, I would not make this conclusion.The same notion was suggested with regards to heart attacks. "If we reduce the depression, the patients will have fewer heart attacks". Some of the larger studies however, suggest that SSRIs actually increase heart attack risks.
Linkadge
Posted by morganator on April 6, 2010, at 22:51:08
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 6, 2010, at 18:28:18
Linkage, you have made some good points, but comparing SSRIs to smoking? Come on.
Also, I would like to see the studies you speak of. It just would be nice to actually see solid sources giving strong evidence for the claims you've made.
I realize you have had a bad experience with SSRIs and feel that they have put you in worse shape than you were before using them. You have to realize though that thousands of people are doing just fine on SSRIs and continue to do so for years on end. SSRIs are far from perfect and hopefully soon we will have better alternatives, but they have helped thousands and continue to do so without any real adverse effects.
Morgan
Posted by topcatclr on April 7, 2010, at 0:05:10
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 6, 2010, at 18:28:18
I think your are over-thinking it linkadge! This is not less stress from something harmful to the body, in my opinion. More like a chemical meditation. Jesus, can you just accept that meds are not the Devil.
Posted by topcatclr on April 7, 2010, at 0:08:15
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms » linkadge, posted by morganator on April 6, 2010, at 22:51:08
he same notion was suggested with regards to heart attacks. "If we reduce the depression, the patients will have fewer heart attacks". Some of the larger studies however, suggest that SSRIs actually increase heart attack risks.
Complete BS. You can spin things any way you want. For many people these meds save lives. Just because you are not helped has NOTHING to do with it. Maybe you need a new girlfriend or something! Sheesh......
Posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 16:57:34
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms » linkadge, posted by morganator on April 6, 2010, at 22:51:08
I'm not comparing smoking to SSRI's. My point was this: Just because an agent makes you calm does not mean it lowers the risk of cancer.
A number of antidepressants for instance are genotoxic. Take clomipramine or imipramine. Sure, they may calm you down but they are also damaging genetic material in the process. Genotoxic substances are generaly known to increase the risk of cancer.
The way any drug works in the body is complex.
Antidepressants induce so many biochemical and neurohormonal effects. Who among us can really say that the net effect is a reduced risk of cancer?
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 17:35:36
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by topcatclr on April 7, 2010, at 0:05:10
>I think your are over-thinking it linkadge! This >is not less stress from something harmful to the >body, in my opinion. More like a chemical >meditation. Jesus, can you just accept that meds >are not the Devil
I disagree entirely. I think you are **underthinking** it. Stress is only *one* risk factor for cancer. I can't say (off the top of my head) how stress compares to any other risk factor for cancer.
Plenty of stress free people get cancer. Think of it this way. Some of the things that help combat stress actually are tumor promoters. Take sex hormones, for instance. Higher levels of certain sex hormones are actaully protective against depressive disorders. Yet, they are actually tumor promoters. Estrogen and DHEA are examples. SSRI's are neuroendocrine disruptors. Serotonin has convergent effects (in many ways) with estrogen which is a tumor promoter. For instance, both SSRI's and estrogen increase BCL-2 which enhances cellular resilliance. Antidepressants cellualr actions are not confined to the brain. Antidepressants can also boosts the levels of certain sex hormones like estrogen and DHEA. Some of the very targets of the antidepressants are to increase neuronal proliferation and reduce cellular death. SSRI's enhance intracellular signalling cascades like protein kinase C which can promote tumor growth. Take the anti-cancer drug tamoxafin. It lowers protein kinase c in cancer cells (and in the brain) which helps trigger cancer cell death. But, it can also induce depression (or an anti manic effect) in the process.
SSRI's also increase levels of several other cellular growth factors like VEGF, FGF-2 and IGF. VEGF increases blood vessle formation. Cancer cells are made more reisistant by the application of VEGF in vivo. They become more resistant because they derive more blood vessle supplies from about them.
In many ways, anti cancer therapies have sought to do the exact oposite biochemically. That is, lower VEGF, reduce PKC and reduce BCL-2 levels.
Norepinephrine is also a tumor promoter. The noradrenergic drugs may increase the biochemical activity of norepinephrine. Remember, the drugs' activities are not confined to the brain. What it makes you feel like is independant of the effects it is having throughout your body.
There are other things I mentioned too. Like, what effect reducing melatonin excretion will have. What about reducing HGH, or testosterone. SSRI's alter immune function in wierd and wonderful ways too. What affect does inducing apathy on the risk of cancer? What about the effects of a drug that removes joy from ones life? (I.e. do the drugs even work?). People who have regular sex have lower risks of cancer. Powerful hormones are released during orgasm. If SSRI's abolish a decent sex life, what effect does this have on your risk of cancer?
Dispite their purported ability to reduce stress, some SSRI' have not been shown to consistently reduce cortisol. In this study, SSRI's increased both thyroid and cortisol.
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?doi=10.1159/000054954
Whats the net effect?? Who knows.
Next, dopamine acts to inhibit tumor growth. Do a google search on "dopamine + cancer". It seems that dopamine agonists appear to supress, while dopamine antagonists (or functional dopamine antagonists?) appear to increase cancer risk. See:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313185743.htm
Mice with high dopamine have reduced incidence of cancer.
http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/02-0145fjev1
So, if SSRI's reduce, or deplete dopamine neurotransmission, what effect might this have on the development or progression of cancer?
This sertaline study is taken out of context. Just because the drug delivered in vitro kills some cancer cells, does not mean its over all effect is a reduced risk of cancer. When the drug is added to the entire body, all sorts of changes take place.
So to summarize...................who the f*ck knows? Just because the drug calms you down.....
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 20:25:37
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms » topcatclr, posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 17:35:36
>Jesus, can you just accept that meds >are not >the Devil
Oh and another thing. I think people like you pick on people like me for the following reason:
- Identify somebody that you label as some wacko "anti-med","meds are the devil" individual (which I am not), and in doing so, you make it seem (to yourself?) like actually thinking about the substances that you ingest is a bad thing.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 20:27:05
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 20:25:37
In other words, its easier for you to label me as crazy and go ahead trotting down your "ignorance is bliss" pathway of life.
Linkadge
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 7, 2010, at 23:09:13
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 20:27:05
Posted by morganator on April 8, 2010, at 13:35:11
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 20:27:05
> In other words, its easier for you to label me as crazy and go ahead trotting down your "ignorance is bliss" pathway of life.
>
> LinkadgeI have to admit, sometimes ignorance is bliss when it comes to people having great long term success when using drugs like SSRIs.
Linkage, like I said before, you make some very good points. Still, I believe, with what we know so far, Zoloft may just stand alone as one of the cleaner, less toxic, less invasive SSRIs. There is a reason why doctors can prescribe up to 200 mg or more of it.
I know we need to come up with better alternatives to SSRIs. Still, I believe there are many people out there that will take SSRIs with very little or no problems and get off of them with very little or no problems(I and a few other friends of mine are examples of this).
For what it's worth, I don't think you were really being uncivil. You were simply passionately expressing your thoughts. Nothing wrong with that as long as you are not crossing the line-which I don't think you really did.
Posted by linkadge on April 8, 2010, at 15:05:21
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by morganator on April 8, 2010, at 13:35:11
>Linkage, like I said before, you make some very >good points. Still, I believe, with what we know >so far, Zoloft may just stand alone as one of >the cleaner, less toxic, less invasive SSRIs. >There is a reason why doctors can prescribe up >to 200 mg or more of it.
I don't know what that is supposed to mean. I would consider celexa, cipralex, luvox and perhaps prozac to be relatively clean too. Celexa / cipralex is the only SSRI which hasn't been linked to increased risk of metabolic issues.
Paxil and zoloft are higher offenders with this issue.All the SSRI's are prescribed in doses up to (and exceeding) 4 times the starting dose. 80mg of prozac or celexa is not that uncommon.
Zoloft just plain didn't work for me. Not to say it doesn't work for some. I just don't see putting it on a pedastil.
Linkadge
Posted by bulldog2 on April 8, 2010, at 16:20:48
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 7, 2010, at 20:27:05
> In other words, its easier for you to label me as crazy and go ahead trotting down your "ignorance is bliss" pathway of life.
>
> LinkadgeI think more people than you realize think long and hard about the drugs we are taking. We have to evaluate the pros and cons and make a decision. So people have to evaluate the degree of suffering they are experiencing against the possible harm the medication may do.Now if I am going to take a drug along with its risks I might as well allow myself to experience any benefits the drug may offer in terms of mood improvement. From what I have read and experienced myself, if I am going to obsess over the possible sides I may experience that will certainly sabotage my drug experience. So either don't take the meds or take the meds and stay open to anything positive it may offer to alleviate my mood illness. The third option is the one that makes the least sense for me. I don't embark on a med trial and obsess about the bad things that could happen. That option will certainly bring your med trial to an unsucessful conclusion.
> In other words, its easier for you to label me as crazy and go ahead trotting down your "ignorance is bliss" pathway of life
I think the statement has incorrectly branded many of us who do know the potential sides and make a decision to proceed with the med trial. If I obsess about the sides the drug trial is doomed before i start.
I think that once you reach a certain level of fear of psychotropic drugs it makes more sense to not take them anymore. Get off of them and gradually your brain will drift back via homeostatis to its former self.
Posted by morganator on April 8, 2010, at 16:30:17
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 8, 2010, at 15:05:21
>Paxil and zoloft are higher offenders with this issue.
Can you show me any sources giving evidence that Zoloft is one of the major offenders in this case?
Are you positive that celexa or lexapro have not been shown to possibly cause weight gain?
Posted by bulldog2 on April 8, 2010, at 16:39:06
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 8, 2010, at 15:05:21
> >Linkage, like I said before, you make some very >good points. Still, I believe, with what we know >so far, Zoloft may just stand alone as one of >the cleaner, less toxic, less invasive SSRIs. >There is a reason why doctors can prescribe up >to 200 mg or more of it.
>
> I don't know what that is supposed to mean. I would consider celexa, cipralex, luvox and perhaps prozac to be relatively clean too. Celexa / cipralex is the only SSRI which hasn't been linked to increased risk of metabolic issues.
> Paxil and zoloft are higher offenders with this issue.
>
> All the SSRI's are prescribed in doses up to (and exceeding) 4 times the starting dose. 80mg of prozac or celexa is not that uncommon.
>
>
> Zoloft just plain didn't work for me. Not to say it doesn't work for some. I just don't see putting it on a pedastil.
>
>
> LinkadgeZoloft has virtually no effect on weight, some action on dopamine, one of the lowest ssri offenders on prolactin, pristine and clean of action, catapult zoloft into the group of the best of the modern ssri, snri ads. Certainly one of the first ads that should be considered for mild to moderate depression. Just an opinion held down at the mental health clinic of the University of Pennsylvania.
Posted by morganator on April 8, 2010, at 17:05:58
In reply to Re: Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by linkadge on April 8, 2010, at 15:05:21
>Zoloft just plain didn't work for me.
How long did you take Zoloft for and at what dosage? Did it give you any side effects?
Posted by bleauberry on April 8, 2010, at 17:46:50
In reply to Zoloft-Anti-Cancer Mechanisms, posted by morganator on April 4, 2010, at 1:56:30
As far as I can tell, the best anti-cancer strategies are found in the fingertips...which foods are picked up at the grocery store and which are not.
The next step is a few well chosen herbs with clinical evidence supporting them.
If someone happens to be on an antidepressant that happens to have some suspected anticancer benefit as well, cool, an added bonus. But by itself, not a good reason to have that med as your only weapon for good health. The grocery store is where it's at. Food choice is so much more important than most people realize. In terms of anticancer, I would bet regular consumption of raw broccoli, garlic, daily oatmeal, and a full menu of veggies and fruits, ingredient labels that you can actually read and you know what they are, organic meats, these things will blow zoloft in the weeds.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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