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What is known about melatonin, chemotherapy and altered gene expression in breast cancer

Carlos Martínez-Campa1, Javier Menéndez-Menéndez1, Carolina Alonso-González1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria and Research Institute Valdecilla, 39011 Santander, Spain.

Oncology Letters
|April 30, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, shows oncostatic effects against hormone-dependent and independent cancers. Further research is needed to clarify its protective role against chemotherapy and radiotherapy side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Melatonin, synthesized by the pineal gland, exhibits oncostatic properties in hormone-dependent tumors.
  • Clinical trials suggest melatonin's potential as an adjuvant cancer therapy.
  • Emerging evidence indicates melatonin's efficacy in hormone-independent cancers like ovarian, leukemia, pancreatic, gastric, and non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest findings on melatonin's molecular actions in conjunction with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
  • To focus on melatonin's role in hormone-dependent breast cancer treatment.
  • To discuss future research directions for melatonin's protective effects against cancer treatment-induced side effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of in vivo and in vitro studies.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data.
  • Discussion of gene expression profiling for personalized medicine.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin demonstrates an oncostatic role in hormone-dependent tumors.
  • Melatonin shows therapeutic effects in various hormone-independent cancers.
  • Melatonin's molecular actions with radiotherapy and chemotherapy are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin is a promising adjuvant molecule for cancer treatment.
  • Further research is required to elucidate melatonin's protective mechanisms against chemotherapy and radiotherapy side effects.
  • Comparative gene expression profiling may enhance understanding of melatonin's antitumor effects in personalized medicine.
Keywords:
breast cancercancerchemotherapygene expressionmelatonin

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