Davis · IUBMB life 2019 · narrative review · n=?

The tumour suppressing role of the circadian clock.

Cited 35 times in the scientific literature.

Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data

Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic biology without original data or systematic search methods

PubMed 30674076 · doi:10.1002/iub.2005 · record verified 2026-08-27

What was done

Narrative review summarizing molecular mechanisms connecting circadian clock genes and rhythms to tumour suppression, cellular processes (cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metabolism, and immunity), and the potential role of chronotherapy in cancer treatment.

What was found

The abstract reports no numerical data or quantitative outcomes. It describes qualitatively that core circadian genes generate ~24-hour tissue rhythms, that dysregulation of these genes is observed across multiple tumour types, and that tailoring chemotherapy administration timing to circadian rhythms can optimize patient response and reduce side effects.

Why it matters

Highlights the mechanistic links between circadian disruption and carcinogenesis, underscoring the rationale for chronotherapy to mitigate treatment toxicity.

Limits

As a non-systematic narrative review, the paper provides no original experimental or clinical data, no sample size, and no quantitative synthesis of therapeutic efficacy.

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