Escitalopram oxalate inhibits proliferation and migration and induces apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Population-based cohort studies have revealed that neuroleptic medications are associated with a reduced cancer risk. Recent studies have demonstrated that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have an antiproliferative or cytotoxic effect on certain cancer types. Known as a superior SSRI, escitalopram oxalate exhibits favorable tolerability with generally mild and temporary adverse events. The present study aimed to examine the effects of escitalopram oxalate on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The experimental results revealed that escitalopram oxalate significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of A549, and H460 cells compared with BEAS-2B cells. Additionally, escitalopram oxalate significantly increased the sub-G1 population and caspase-3 activity of A549, and H460 cells. Furthermore, escitalopram oxalate significantly induced mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling cascades in A549 and H460 cells, which included increases in the protein expression levels of apoptosis regulator Bax, truncated BH3-interacting domain death agonist, cytochrome c, apoptotic protease-activating factor 1, and cleaved caspase-9. These findings suggest that escitalopram oxalate could serve a therapeutic agent for the treatment of NSCLC due to its antiproliferative and apoptotic effects.