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In Vitro Bioluminescence Assay to Characterize Circadian Rhythm in Mammary Epithelial Cells
Published on: September 28, 2017
Circadian rhythms and tumor growth.
1Bassett Research Institute, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY 13326-1301, USA. michael.greene@bassett.org
Cancer Letters
|January 19, 2012
Summary
Disrupted circadian rhythms accelerate cancer growth by affecting hormone secretion and cell cycles. Targeting circadian-controlled signaling pathways may offer new cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Cancer Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Biological processes like hormone secretion, metabolism, and the cell cycle exhibit rhythmic control.
- Disruption of these biological rhythms is predicted to cause uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer.
- Existing research links circadian disruption (e.g., dim light at night, jet lag) to accelerated tumor growth in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of circadian control in cancer development.
- To identify circadian-controlled factors implicated in tumor growth.
- To explore the potential of targeting circadian-controlled signaling pathways for cancer prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on circadian rhythms and cancer.
- Analysis of studies involving animal models with disrupted circadian rhythms.
- Identification of key circadian-controlled hormones and their signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Circadian disruption accelerates tumor growth in desynchronized animal models.
- Hormones like insulin/IGF-1, glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and melatonin are implicated in controlling tumor growth under disrupted circadian conditions.
- Signaling pathways activated by these circadian-controlled factors are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Circadian rhythm disruption is a significant factor in cancer progression.
- Circadian-controlled factors and their signaling pathways represent promising targets for novel cancer therapies.
- Understanding these mechanisms can lead to new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
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