Melatonin: An important anticancer agent in colorectal cancer.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the known significance of melatonin in colorectal cancer and explore its potential clinical use.
Results Summary
Melatonin modulates signaling pathways involved in cancer progression, regulates immune function and tumor microenvironment, and acts as an antioxidant. It shows beneficial effects in colorectal cancer, including apoptosis induction, increased sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Population
Colorectal cancer patients (no specific demographic details provided).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | null | many signaling pathways involved in many essential cell functions | null | null | is shown to be able to modulate | #1 |
melatonin | null | immune function | null | null | is involved in the regulation of | #2 |
melatonin | null | tumor microenvironment | null | null | is involved in the regulation of | #3 |
melatonin | null | an antioxidant agent | null | null | acts as | #4 |
melatonin | increase | apoptosis | colorectal cancers | null | induction of | #5 |
melatonin | increase | chemotherapy agents | colorectal cancers | null | increased sensitivity to | #6 |
melatonin | increase | radiotherapy | colorectal cancers | null | increased sensitivity to | #7 |
melatonin | decrease | cellular proliferation | colorectal cancers | null | limiting | #8 |
melatonin | decrease | migration | colorectal cancers | null | limiting | #9 |
melatonin | decrease | invasion | colorectal cancers | null | limiting | #10 |
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers among the elderly, which is also seen in the forms of hereditary syndromes occurring in younger individuals. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the molecular and cellular pathobiology underlying colorectal cancer. These studies have found that cellular signaling pathways are at the core of colorectal cancer pathology. Because of this, new agents have been proposed as possible candidates to accompany routine therapy regimens. One of these agents is melatonin, a neuro-hormone known best for its essential role in upholding the circadian rhythm and orchestrating the many physiologic changes it accompanies. Melatonin is shown to be able to modulate many signaling pathways involved in many essential cell functions, which if deregulated cause an accelerated pace towards cancer. More so, melatonin is involved in the regulation of immune function, tumor microenvironment, and acts as an antioxidant agent. Many studies have focused on the beneficial effects of melatonin in colorectal cancers, such as induction of apoptosis, increased sensitivity to chemotherapy agents and radiotherapy, limiting cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion. The present review aims to illustrate the known significance of melatonin in colorectal cancer and to address possible clinical use.