Chronobiologic response modifiers and breast cancer development: classical background and chronobiologic tasks...

Area of Science:

• Chronobiology
• Oncology
• Neuroendocrinology
• Immunology

Background:

• The body possesses multi-frequency biological rhythms (daily, weekly, yearly) influencing neuroendocrine and immune functions.
• These rhythms, collectively termed the chronome, play a role in physiological processes and susceptibility to diseases like cancer.
• Cancer development may be influenced by the alignment of susceptibility peaks related to neuroendocrine, immune, and cell cycle functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how manipulating biological rhythms using chronobiologic response modifiers (CBRMs) can impact cancer risk.
• To explore the potential of CBRMs in preventing or treating cancer by disrupting synchronized susceptibility peaks.
• To systematically study the effects of internal neuroendocrine shifts on chronome-related susceptibility.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing pituitary/hypothalamic isografts in virus-free Bagg albino mice.
• Employing heterophasic designs to investigate neuroendocrine shifts.
• Analyzing multi-frequency rhythms (circadian, circannual) of neuroendocrine and immune markers.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that manipulating biological rhythms via CBRMs can alter susceptibility to cancer.
• Identified specific chronome configurations associated with lower cancer risk, such as variations in TSH and prolactin amplitudes.
• Showcased gender-specific differences in favorable chronome configurations for reducing cancer risk.

Conclusions:

• Mapping the chronome's rhythms is crucial for timing the application of CBRMs.
• CBRMs hold potential for cancer prevention and treatment by desynchronizing susceptibility peaks.
• Reproducing favorable chronome configurations may reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer.