Melatonin: A Molecule for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the potential of melatonin as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer prevention in high-risk individuals, focusing on its antiestrogenic and antioxidant properties.
Results Summary
Melatonin may counteract BC risk factors such as night shift work, exposure to metalloestrogens, and obesity by reducing estrogenic effects, improving metabolic parameters, and enhancing the efficacy of conventional antiestrogens. However, clinical trials on this subject remain limited.
Population
High-risk individuals for breast cancer, including night shift workers, those exposed to metalloestrogens like cadmium, and obese women.
Effective Dosage
Not Assessed
Duration
Not Assessed
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | increase | conventional antiestrogens | - | - | improve the efficacy | #1 |
melatonin | decrease | conventional antiestrogens | - | - | reduce the side effects | #2 |
melatonin | decrease | light-induced inhibition of melatonin secretion | individuals at risk of BC due to night shift work | - | countered | #3 |
melatonin supplements | decrease | BC risk from exposure to metalloestrogens, such as cadmium | individuals at risk of BC due to exposure to this xenoestrogen | - | treated | #4 |
melatonin | decrease | body fat mass | - | - | decrease | #5 |
melatonin | decrease | enhanced aromatase expression in obese women | obese women | - | inhibits | #6 |
melatonin | increase | adiponectin secretion | - | - | increases | #7 |
melatonin | decrease | oncogenic effects of elevated concentrations of leptin | - | - | counteracts | #8 |
melatonin | decrease | blood glucose levels | - | - | decreases | #9 |
melatonin | decrease | insulin resistance | - | - | decreases | #10 |
melatonin | decrease | BC risk | - | - | susceptible to lowering | #11 |
The objective of this article is to review the basis supporting the usefulness of melatonin as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer (BC) prevention in several groups of individuals at high risk for this disease. Melatonin, as a result of its antiestrogenic and antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of conventional antiestrogens, could safely be associated with the antiestrogenic drugs presently in use. In individuals at risk of BC due to night shift work, the light-induced inhibition of melatonin secretion, with the consequent loss of its antiestrogenic effects, would be countered by administering this neurohormone. BC risk from exposure to metalloestrogens, such as cadmium, could be treated with melatonin supplements to individuals at risk of BC due to exposure to this xenoestrogen. The BC risk related to obesity may be reduced by melatonin which decrease body fat mass, inhibits the enhanced aromatase expression in obese women, increases adiponectin secretion, counteracts the oncogenic effects of elevated concentrations of leptin; and decreases blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. Despite compelling experimental evidence of melatonin's oncostatic actions being susceptible to lowering BC risk, there is still a paucity of clinical trials focused on this subject.