Melatonin in the treatment of cancer and its mechanism / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone secreted by the pineal gland, is involved in numerous physiological processes including circadian rhythms, immune function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This overview summarizes the growing evidences of melatonin as a promising agent for cancer treatment and possible cancer prevention. To date, the chemopreventive, oncostatic, and tumor inhibitory effects of melatonin have become a hot area of investigation, particularly in breast cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, lung cancer and prostatic carcinoma. Multiple mechanisms including interacting with the estrogen-signaling pathways and affecting telomerase activation have been suggested for the biological effects of melatonin. Melatonin not only seems to control development alone but is highlighted in increasing the efficacy and decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy when used in adjuvant therapeutics.