Feil R. Viagra releases the brakes on melanoma growth.
Mol Cell Oncol 2016;
4:e1188874. [PMID:
29057299 DOI:
10.1080/23723556.2016.1188874]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Use of the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) blocker sildenafil (Viagra) has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma. In a recent study we discovered a growth-promoting cGMP pathway in melanoma cells. cGMP degradation via PDE5 acts as a brake on this pathway. Inhibition of PDE5 releases this brake, providing a mechanism for the promelanoma effects of sildenafil.
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