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Therapeutic potential of melatonin for breast cancer radiation therapy patients.

International journal of radiation biology
May 1, 2018
Fiona Griffin et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman StudyAnimal StudyMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine melatonin's potential to improve therapeutic outcomes in breast radiation therapy, particularly for estrogen receptor-positive patients.

Results Summary

Melatonin pre-treatment was associated with decreased cell proliferation and increased p53 mRNA expression, enhancing radiosensitivity in breast cancer cells. It also reduced radiation-induced side effects in both breast cancer patients and rodent models.

Population

Breast cancer patients (specifically estrogen receptor-positive) and rodent models.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

Interaction with estrogen regulation mentioned, but no specific medications, foods, or supplements noted.

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
neutral
circadian rhythms
-
-
is primarily known for its action on
#1
melatonin
neutral
radioprotective and radiosensitizing properties
-
-
are reporting both its radioprotective and radiosensitizing properties
#2
melatonin pre-treatment prior to ionizing radiation
decrease
cell proliferation
breast cancer cells
-
was associated with a decrease in
#3
melatonin pre-treatment prior to ionizing radiation
increase
p53 mRNA expression
breast cancer cells
-
was associated with an increase in
#4
melatonin pre-treatment prior to ionizing radiation
increase
radiosensitivity
breast cancer cells
-
leading to an increase in
#5
melatonin
decrease
radiation-induced side effects
breast cancer patients and in rodent models
-
a decrease in radiation-induced side effects was described
#6
melatonin
increase
breast radiation therapy
estrogen receptor positive patients
-
to improve the therapeutic outcomes of
#7
melatonin
increase
existing treatment modalities
-
-
may offer a novel, non-toxic and cheap adjuvant therapy to improve
#8
Abstract

Melatonin is an endogenous hormone primarily known for its action on the circadian rhythms. But pre-clinical studies are reporting both its radioprotective and radiosensitizing properties, possibly mediated through an interaction between melatonin and the regulation of estrogens. Melatonin pre-treatment prior to ionizing radiation was associated with a decrease in cell proliferation and an increase in p53 mRNA expression, leading to an increase in the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells. At the same time, a decrease in radiation-induced side effects was described in breast cancer patients and in rodent models. This review examines the potential for melatonin to improve the therapeutic outcomes of breast radiation therapy, specifically estrogen receptor positive patients. Evidence suggests that melatonin may offer a novel, non-toxic and cheap adjuvant therapy to improve the existing treatment modalities. But further research is required in the clinical setting before a clear understanding of its therapeutic benefits is determined.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsBreast NeoplasmsDose-Response Relationship, RadiationEstrogen Receptor alphaFemaleHumansMCF-7 CellsMelatoninMiceNeoplasm MetastasisQuality of LifeRNA, MessengerRadiation ToleranceRadiation-Protective AgentsRadiation-Sensitizing AgentsRadiotherapyTumor Suppressor Protein p53
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations17
Citations/Year2.4
Relative Citation Ratio0.85
NIH Percentile44.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score0.97
Normalized Score0.78
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