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Melatonin and breast cancer: Evidences from preclinical and human studies.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology
February 1, 2018
Peter Kubatka et al. (12 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsBreast NeoplasmsFemaleHumansMelatoninProspective StudiesSignal Transduction
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations80
Citations/Year11.4
Relative Citation Ratio4.24
NIH Percentile91%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.08
Normalized Score0.78
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