The Effect of Light Exposure at Night (LAN) on Carcinogenesis via Decreased Nocturnal Melatonin Synthesis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to summarize potential mechanisms by which artificial light exposure disrupts melatonin synthesis and its preventive effects on cancer development and progression.
Results Summary
The study highlights that melatonin disruption due to artificial light exposure may counteract its cancer-preventive effects by influencing tumor metabolism, genomic instability, and immune regulation. A better understanding of these mechanisms could aid in developing new cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Population
Not specified (general mammalian mechanisms discussed, with implications for human cancer).
Effective Dosage
Not mentioned
Duration
Not mentioned
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | increase | activity of the clock's genes | - | - | influence | #1 |
melatonin | decrease | cancer development | - | - | involved in the inhibition | #2 |
artificial light exposure at night (LAN) | increase | cancer | - | - | promote | #3 |
LAN-evoked disruption of the nocturnal increase in melatonin synthesis | decrease | preventive action on human cancer development and progression | human | - | counteracts | #4 |
In mammals, a master clock is located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, a region that receives input from the retina that is transmitted by the retinohypothalamic tract. The SCN controls the nocturnal synthesis of melatonin by the pineal gland that can influence the activity of the clock's genes and be involved in the inhibition of cancer development. On the other hand, in the literature, some papers highlight that artificial light exposure at night (LAN)-induced circadian disruptions promote cancer. In the present review, we summarize the potential mechanisms by which LAN-evoked disruption of the nocturnal increase in melatonin synthesis counteracts its preventive action on human cancer development and progression. In detail, we discuss: (i) the Warburg effect related to tumor metabolism modification; (ii) genomic instability associated with L1 activity; and (iii) regulation of immunity, including regulatory T cell (Treg) regulation and activity. A better understanding of these processes could significantly contribute to new treatment and prevention strategies against hormone-related cancer types.