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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
06:46
Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
995
Nocturnal Melatonin Deficiency in Colorectal Cancer: Independent Predictive Value Beyond Sleep Quality.
Ibrahim Durak1, Busra Durak2, Tolga Duzenli1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Türkiye.
Summary
Lower serum melatonin levels and poorer sleep quality are linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). Melatonin may serve as a potential biomarker for CRC detection, complementing existing methods.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Melatonin, a hormone with antioxidant and anti-tumor properties, plays a role in inhibiting cancer progression.
- Disruptions in circadian rhythms and sleep quality are increasingly implicated in cancer development.
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, necessitating novel diagnostic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum melatonin levels and sleep quality in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the potential of melatonin as a biomarker for colorectal cancer.
- To explore the relationship between sleep quality, melatonin, and CRC.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 36 CRC patients and 35 controls.
- Serum melatonin levels measured via ELISA during nighttime hours (01:00-02:00 am).
- Sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); sleep apnea risk evaluated with STOP-Bang.
Main Results:
- CRC patients exhibited significantly lower serum melatonin concentrations (131.1 vs. 194.8 pg/mL) and poorer sleep quality (higher PSQI scores).
- Melatonin was identified as an independent predictor of CRC in multivariable analysis (OR = 0.952).
- A melatonin threshold of ~150 pg/mL demonstrated high sensitivity (75%) and specificity (91.4%) in distinguishing CRC patients.
Conclusions:
- Despite similar sleep apnea risk, CRC patients have poorer sleep quality and reduced melatonin levels.
- Serum melatonin assessment shows promise as a complementary biomarker for CRC risk stratification.
- Findings highlight the potential role of circadian biology and sleep disturbances in colorectal carcinogenesis.
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