Esketamine reduces postoperative depression in breast cancer through TREK-1 channel inhibition and neurotransmitter modulation.
Jiachi Xu, Mingcan Li, Yu Hu, Qin Yang, Qiang Long, Hui Zhou
Cancer cell international February 18, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-025-03664-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled trial with experimental and control groups, plus in vitro and transcriptomic analyses Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 54 |
| Population | Female breast cancer patients who underwent surgery |
| Intervention | Esketamine |
| Topics | Esketamine Depression |
| Keywords | Breast cancer Hippocampal neurons Postoperative depression Trek-1 channels #postoperativecare post-surgery care Post-op care Surgical recovery #breastcancer mammary carcinoma Breast carcinoma Breast neoplasm #esketamine ket |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Esketamine alleviates postoperative depression in breast cancer patients by inhibiting TREK-1 channels and promoting hippocampal neuron activity. |
Abstract
Postoperative depression significantly affects the quality of life of breast cancer patients. This study explores the potential therapeutic effects of esketamine on postoperative depression through modulation of the TREK-1 two-pore domain potassium channel. We analyzed data from 54 female breast cancer patients who underwent surgery at our hospital between 2019 and 2023, dividing them into experimental and control groups based on esketamine treatment. Transcriptomic sequencing of hippocampal neurons from rats identified potassium ion-related pathways and key regulatory genes, including TREK-1, influenced by esketamine. In vitro studies showed that esketamine primarily alleviates depressive symptoms by inhibiting TREK-1 protein expression, enhancing GABA neurotransmitter release, and improving neuronal activity, while overexpression of TREK-1 reversed these effects. Esketamine's inhibition of TREK-1 channels and promotion of hippocampal neuron activity effectively alleviate postoperative depression in breast cancer patients, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on esketamine for depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The application of esketamine in cancer-related depressive states: attention from mechanisms to clinical translation Frontiers in Psychiatry July 30, 2026
- Efficacy and safety of perioperative esketamine for postoperative depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis Frontiers in Pharmacology July 8, 2026
- The Use of Ketamine for Depression in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Applications. Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy May 29, 2026
Cites 10
- Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation American Journal of Psychiatry March 17, 2021
- Ketamine versus ECT for Nonpsychotic Treatment-Resistant Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine May 24, 2023
- Mechanisms of Ketamine and its Metabolites as Antidepressants Biochemical Pharmacology December 1, 2021
- Efficacy and safety of a 4-week course of repeated subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment-resistant depression (KADS study): randomised double-blind active-controlled trial The British Journal of Psychiatry July 14, 2023
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and 5 more in the library