Chris Minella1, Pierre Coliat2,3, Shanti Amé4, Karl Neuberger5, Alexandre Stora5, Carole Mathelin1,6,7, Nathalie Reix8,9,10. 1. Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 place de l'Hôpital, Strasbourg, France. 2. Service de Pharmacie, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), 17 rue Albert Calmette, Strasbourg, France. 3. Laboratoire d'Immuno-Rhumatologie Moléculaire UMR-S 1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg/INSERM, Strasbourg, France. 4. Service d'hématologie, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), 17 rue Albert Calmette, Strasbourg, France. 5. Quantmetry, 52 rue d'Anjou, Paris, France. 6. Service de Chirurgie, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), 17 rue Albert Calmette, Strasbourg, France. 7. Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UMR 7104, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France. 8. Service de Chirurgie, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), 17 rue Albert Calmette, Strasbourg, France. nathalie.reix@chru-strasboug.fr. 9. CNRS, ICube UMR 7357, Université de Strasbourg, 67400, Illkirch, France. nathalie.reix@chru-strasboug.fr. 10. Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 place de l'Hôpital, Strasbourg, France. nathalie.reix@chru-strasboug.fr.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This review proposes an overall vision of the protective and therapeutic role of melatonin in breast cancer: from the specific cases of blind women and their reduction of breast cancer incidence to all clinical uses of the sleep hormone in breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed studies focused on (1) the correlation between blindness and breast cancer, (2) the correlation between melatonin and breast cancer occurrence in the general population, (3) melatonin therapeutic use in breast cancer, and (4) we discussed the properties of melatonin that could explain an anticancer effect. RESULTS: (1) Seven studies of breast cancer risk in blind women related significant incidence decreases, up to 57%, among totally blind women. The limited number of studies and the absence of adjustment for confounding factors in most studies limit conclusions. None of these studies established melatonin profiles to determine whether blind women with a decreased breast cancer incidence produced higher levels of melatonin. (2) In the general population, 5 meta-analyses and 12 prospective-cohort studies focused on melatonin levels at recruitment and breast cancer occurrence. All reported the absence of correlation in premenopausal women, whereas in postmenopausal women, most studies showed significantly decreased risk for women with highest melatonin levels. (3) The therapeutic interest of melatonin associated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonotherapy is poorly documented in breast cancer to conclude on a positive effect. (4) Melatonin effects on mammary carcinogenesis were only reported in in vitro and animal studies that demonstrated antiestrogenic, antioxidant, oncostatic, and immunomodulatory properties. CONCLUSION: The preventive role of high endogenous melatonin on breast cancer as well as its beneficial therapeutic use remains to be proven.
PURPOSE: This review proposes an overall vision of the protective and therapeutic role of melatonin in breast cancer: from the specific cases of blind women and their reduction of breast cancer incidence to all clinical uses of the sleep hormone in breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed studies focused on (1) the correlation between blindness and breast cancer, (2) the correlation between melatonin and breast cancer occurrence in the general population, (3) melatonin therapeutic use in breast cancer, and (4) we discussed the properties of melatonin that could explain an anticancer effect. RESULTS: (1) Seven studies of breast cancer risk in blind women related significant incidence decreases, up to 57%, among totally blind women. The limited number of studies and the absence of adjustment for confounding factors in most studies limit conclusions. None of these studies established melatonin profiles to determine whether blind women with a decreased breast cancer incidence produced higher levels of melatonin. (2) In the general population, 5 meta-analyses and 12 prospective-cohort studies focused on melatonin levels at recruitment and breast cancer occurrence. All reported the absence of correlation in premenopausal women, whereas in postmenopausal women, most studies showed significantly decreased risk for women with highest melatonin levels. (3) The therapeutic interest of melatonin associated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonotherapy is poorly documented in breast cancer to conclude on a positive effect. (4) Melatonin effects on mammary carcinogenesis were only reported in in vitro and animal studies that demonstrated antiestrogenic, antioxidant, oncostatic, and immunomodulatory properties. CONCLUSION: The preventive role of high endogenous melatonin on breast cancer as well as its beneficial therapeutic use remains to be proven.
Authors: Richard G Stevens; George C Brainard; David E Blask; Steven W Lockley; Mario E Motta Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2013-12-24 Impact factor: 508.702
Authors: Ka Yan Lai; Chinmoy Sarkar; Michael Y Ni; Lydia W T Cheung; John Gallacher; Chris Webster Journal: Sci Total Environ Date: 2020-10-21 Impact factor: 7.963
Authors: Eero Pukkala; Matti Ojamo; Sirkka-Liisa Rudanko; Richard G Stevens; Pia K Verkasalo Journal: Cancer Causes Control Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 2.506
Authors: Lulu Mao; Lin Yuan; Lauren M Slakey; Frank E Jones; Matthew E Burow; Steven M Hill Journal: Breast Cancer Res Date: 2010-12-17 Impact factor: 6.466