Melatonin Prevents Tumor Growth: The Role of Genes Controlling the Circadian Clock, the Cell Cycle, and Angiogenesis.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Preclinical animal model evaluating biological mechanisms
PubMed 40518693 · doi:10.1111/jpi.70064
What was done
Investigated the effect of melatonin administration on tumor growth, vascularization, and expression of circadian, cell cycle, and angiogenic genes (including p53, TNF-α, Per2, VEGF-A, PDGF-C, and Ang) in rats subjected to constant light exposure as a model of circadian disruption.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or effect sizes. Melatonin administration significantly inhibited tumor growth, reduced tumor vascularization associated with circadian rhythm disturbance, and altered the expression profiles of genes involved in circadian control, cell cycle regulation, and angiogenesis.
Why it matters
Provides mechanistic animal data supporting how melatonin may counteract circadian disruption-induced tumor progression and angiogenesis by modulating specific gene networks.
Limits
Conducted entirely in a rodent model without human clinical data. The abstract omits sample size (n), tumor type, melatonin dosing, treatment duration, and quantitative statistical metrics.
Cited by
- supports Melatonin regulates angiogenesis and natural killer cell activity.