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Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
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Melatonin and cancer suppression: insights into its effects on DNA methylation

Amirhossein Davoodvandi1,2, Banafsheh Nikfar3, Russel J Reiter4

  • 1Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters
|September 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin, a natural hormone, influences circadian rhythms and immunity. This study explores how melatonin affects DNA methylation in cancer cells, including breast cancer and glioma, and the impact of artificial light at night on these processes.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Melatonin is a crucial mammalian hormone regulating circadian rhythms and immune function.
  • Melatonin exhibits oncostatic properties, particularly against breast cancer, through various cancer-inhibitory mechanisms.
  • Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are key targets for novel cancer therapeutics.

Discussion:

  • This report reviews evidence on melatonin's effects on DNA methylation in various cancer models.
  • It explores how artificial light at night (ALAN) inhibits melatonin secretion.
  • The impact of reduced melatonin on global DNA methylation in cancer cells is discussed.

Key Insights:

  • Melatonin can alter DNA methylation patterns in cancer cells.
  • Epigenetic modifications are a promising avenue for cancer therapy.
  • Disruption of melatonin by ALAN may negatively affect cancer epigenetics.

Outlook:

  • Further research into melatonin's epigenetic mechanisms in cancer is warranted.
  • Targeting melatonin pathways could offer novel cancer treatment strategies.
  • Mitigating ALAN exposure may be beneficial for cancer patients.
Keywords:
DNA methylationDNMTEpigeneticsMelatonin

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