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Melatonin and breast cancer: cellular mechanisms, clinical studies and future perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2009

Stephen G. Grant
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
Melissa A. Melan
Affiliation:
Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Jean J. Latimer
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
Paula A. Witt-Enderby*
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: Paula A. Witt-Enderby, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, 421 Mellon Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA. Tel: +1 412 396 4346; Fax: +1 412 396 5599; E-mail: wittp@duq.edu

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that the pineal hormone melatonin may protect against breast cancer, and the mechanisms underlying its actions are becoming clearer. Melatonin works through receptors and distinct second messenger pathways to reduce cellular proliferation and to induce cellular differentiation. In addition, independently of receptors melatonin can modulate oestrogen-dependent pathways and reduce free-radical formation, thus preventing mutation and cellular toxicity. The fact that melatonin works through a myriad of signalling cascades that are protective to cells makes this hormone a good candidate for use in the clinic for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer. This review summarises cellular mechanisms governing the action of melatonin and then considers the potential use of melatonin in breast cancer prevention and treatment, with an emphasis on improving clinical outcomes.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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References

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Further reading, resources and contacts

General lay information on melatonin, including cancer treatment:

Blask, D.E. et al. (2005) Melatonin-depleted blood from premenopausal women exposed to light at night stimulates growth of human breast cancer xenografts in nude rats. Cancer Research 65, 11174-11184CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sanchez-Barcelo, E.J. et al. (2005) Melatonin-estrogen interactions in breast cancer. Journal of Pineal Research 38, 217-222CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reiter, R.J. et al. (2007) Light at night, chronodisruption, melatonin suppression, and cancer risk: a review. Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis 13, 303-328CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartsch, C. and Bartsch, H. (2006) The anti-tumor activity of pineal melatonin and cancer enhancing life styles in industrialized societies. Cancer Causes and Control 17, 559-571CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mills, E. et al. (2005) Melatonin in the treatment of cancer: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis. Journal of Pineal Research 39, 360-366CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vijayalaxmi, et al. (2002) Melatonin: from basic research to cancer treatment clinics. Journal of Clinical Oncology 20, 2575-2601CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
http://www.aacr.org/ (American Association for Cancer Research)Google Scholar
http://www.cancer.gov/ (National Cancer Institute)Google Scholar
Blask, D.E. et al. (2005) Melatonin-depleted blood from premenopausal women exposed to light at night stimulates growth of human breast cancer xenografts in nude rats. Cancer Research 65, 11174-11184CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sanchez-Barcelo, E.J. et al. (2005) Melatonin-estrogen interactions in breast cancer. Journal of Pineal Research 38, 217-222CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reiter, R.J. et al. (2007) Light at night, chronodisruption, melatonin suppression, and cancer risk: a review. Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis 13, 303-328CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartsch, C. and Bartsch, H. (2006) The anti-tumor activity of pineal melatonin and cancer enhancing life styles in industrialized societies. Cancer Causes and Control 17, 559-571CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mills, E. et al. (2005) Melatonin in the treatment of cancer: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis. Journal of Pineal Research 39, 360-366CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vijayalaxmi, et al. (2002) Melatonin: from basic research to cancer treatment clinics. Journal of Clinical Oncology 20, 2575-2601CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
http://www.aacr.org/ (American Association for Cancer Research)Google Scholar
http://www.cancer.gov/ (National Cancer Institute)Google Scholar