Pimavanserin inhibits growth and invasion of bladder cancer cells

Pimavanserin, an antagonist of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptors, has been used as an atypical antipsychotic. However, whether Pimavanserin affects the biological behavior of tumors remains unknown. The present study found that Pimavanserin dose-dependently reduced the viability of bladder cancer EJ cells and inhibited cell clonogenic abilities. Moreover, Pimavanserin remarkably attenuated cell migration and invasion abilities. It also induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and accelerated cell apoptosis in mitochondrial pathways in vitro. Furthermore, Pimavanserin treatment suppressed Wnt/beta-catenin and Akt/mTOR pathways and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in EJ cells. Taken together, results suggest that Pimavanserin inhibits the growth and motility of bladder cancer EJ cells. The current study revealed the anti-cancer effects of Pimavanserin on bladder cancer cells, suggesting that Pimavanserin may function as a potential anti-cancer agent in bladder cancer therapy.