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Melatonin and Cancer: A Polyhedral Network Where the Source Matters
Maria-Angeles Bonmati-Carrion1,2, Antonia Tomas-Loba3
1Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 4, 2021
Summary
Melatonin, a conserved biological signal, acts as a darkness indicator and possesses antitumor properties. Its suppression by light at night is linked to increased cancer risk, highlighting its crucial role in cancer prevention.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Melatonin is a conserved indoleamine with antioxidant and chronobiotic functions.
- It is produced by the pineal gland and extrapineal sources, acting as a darkness signal.
- Light at night suppresses melatonin, a factor linked to increased cancer incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of pineal and extrapineal melatonin in cancer incidence, development, and progression.
- To explore the interplay between different melatonin sources in cancer.
- To emphasize melatonin's antitumor mechanisms, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and novel roles in microbiota and epigenetics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of melatonin's role in cancer.
- Analysis of epidemiological studies linking light at night and cancer.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms of melatonin's antitumor activity.
Main Results:
- Melatonin exhibits significant antitumor effects through various mechanisms.
- Circadian disruption and melatonin suppression are associated with higher cancer risk.
- Melatonin's influence extends to microbiota and epigenetic regulation in cancer.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin, from both pineal and extrapineal sources, is a critical intrinsic factor in cancer prevention and progression.
- Understanding melatonin's multifaceted roles is essential for developing novel cancer therapies.
- Further research into melatonin's interaction with microbiota and epigenetics holds promise for cancer treatment.
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