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When Clocks Go Rogue: Circadian Rhythms and the Rise of Cancer.
Anestacia S Robinson1,2, Samuel Bennett2,3, Shogo Sato1,2
1Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
The circadian clock influences cancer development and progression by affecting tumor microenvironment and immune surveillance. Chronotherapy, or timing cancer treatments with biological rhythms, shows promise for enhancing treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Chronobiology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- The circadian clock, a 24-hour internal timekeeping system, regulates physiological processes and is disrupted by modern lifestyle factors.
- Disrupted circadian rhythms are linked to increased cancer risk and disease progression.
- The circadian clock plays a role in tumorigenesis and represents a target for novel cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the circadian clock in regulating cancer hallmarks.
- To emphasize the impact of the circadian system on the tumor microenvironment and immune surveillance.
- To highlight the translational potential of circadian-informed cancer therapies (chronotherapies).
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of circadian regulation mechanisms across diverse cancer types.
- Integration of mechanistic insights with translational applications in oncology.
Main Results:
- The circadian clock significantly influences cancer hallmarks, including tumor microenvironment modulation.
- Circadian rhythms impact immune cell dynamics, affecting tumor progression and immune surveillance.
- Chronotherapy, by aligning treatments with biological rhythms, can enhance therapeutic efficacy, including immunotherapy responses.
Conclusions:
- The circadian clock is a critical factor in cancer development and progression.
- Understanding circadian regulation within the tumor microenvironment is key for developing effective cancer therapies.
- Chronobiology offers a promising framework for future cancer treatment strategies.

