Melatonin and breast cancer: Evidences from preclinical and human studies.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review melatonin's anti-tumor activities, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy in breast cancer, particularly its potential benefits for high-risk women.
Results Summary
Melatonin disrupts estrogen-dependent cell signaling, reduces estrogen-stimulated cells, and shows neuro-immunomodulatory effects. Observational and clinical studies link lower melatonin levels and circadian disruption to increased breast cancer risk, suggesting supplementation may benefit high-risk women.
Population
Women, particularly those at high risk for breast cancer.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | decrease | various cancer types | - | - | has a significant anti-tumor activities | #1 |
melatonin | decrease | estrogen-dependent cell signaling | breast cancer | - | capable to disrupt estrogen-dependent cell signaling | #2 |
melatonin | decrease | estrogen-stimulated cells | breast cancer | - | reduction of estrogen-stimulated cells | #3 |
melatonin | decrease | risk of breast cancer | - | - | inverse correlation | #4 |
melatonin | decrease | melatonin levels | breast cancer patients | - | lower melatonin levels | #5 |
circadian disruption of melatonin synthesis | increase | breast cancer risk | - | - | linked to increased breast cancer risk | #6 |
oral supplementation of melatonin | neutral | - | high-risk women | - | may have benefits | #7 |
melatonin alone or in combined administration | neutral | early stages of breast cancer | - | - | seems to be appropriate drug for the treatment | #8 |
melatonin | decrease | toxicity | - | over a wide range of doses | documented low toxicity | #9 |
The breast cancer affects women with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The risk is highest in the most developed world but also is markedly rising in the developing countries. It is well documented that melatonin has a significant anti-tumor activities demonstrated on various cancer types in a plethora of preclinical studies. In breast cancer, melatonin is capable to disrupt estrogen-dependent cell signaling, resulting in a reduction of estrogen-stimulated cells, moreover, it's obvious neuro-immunomodulatory effect in organism was described. Several prospective studies have demonstrated the inverse correlation between melatonin metabolites and the risk of breast cancer. This correlation was confirmed by observational studies that found lower melatonin levels in breast cancer patients. Moreover, clinical studies have showed that circadian disruption of melatonin synthesis, specifically night shift work, is linked to increased breast cancer risk. In this regard, proper light/dark exposure with more selective use of light at night along with oral supplementation of melatonin may have benefits for high-risk women. The results of current preclinical studies, the mechanism of action, and clinical efficacy of melatonin in breast cancer are reviewed in this paper. Melatonin alone or in combined administration seems to be appropriate drug for the treatment of early stages of breast cancer with documented low toxicity over a wide range of doses. These and other issues are also discussed.