Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption
12:02

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

Published on: July 30, 2016

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The Intricate Relationship between Melatonin and Breast Cancer: A Short Review

Lida Pistioli, Dimitrios Katsarelias, Riccardo A Audisio

    Chirurgia (Bucharest, Romania : 1990)
    |May 8, 2021
    PubMed

    Insights

    Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, shows potential in deterring cancer, particularly breast cancer. Further research is needed to understand its complex biological actions and anticancer effects.

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Oncology
    • Molecular Biology

    Background:

    • Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, increasingly recognized for its diverse cellular functions.
    • Growing scientific interest focuses on melatonin's potential role in cancer biology and its deterrent relationship with malignancies.
    • Breast cancer research is a key area exploring the implications of melatonin.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review significant findings on melatonin's effects on cancer biology from preclinical and clinical studies.
    • To provide insight into the complex biological actions of melatonin and their potential significance in cancer.
    • To concentrate on melatonin's oncostatic activities specifically in breast cancer, including its interaction with estrogen.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing preclinical studies on melatonin and cancer biology.
    • Analysis of clinical studies investigating melatonin's effects.
    • Examination of epidemiological data related to melatonin and cancer.

    Main Results:

    • Melatonin exhibits complex biological actions relevant to cancer.
    • Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests oncostatic activities of melatonin, particularly in breast cancer.
    • The interplay between melatonin and estrogen in breast cancer warrants further investigation.

    Conclusions:

    • Melatonin's multifaceted biological actions present significant potential in cancer research.
    • The oncostatic properties of melatonin, especially concerning breast cancer and its hormonal interactions, are promising.
    • Further epidemiological, experimental, and clinical investigation into melatonin's role in cancer is strongly indicated.
    Keywords:
    breastcancercancerhallmarksmelatonin

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