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Melatonin: A Molecule for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
January 1, 1970
Alicia González-González et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsBreast NeoplasmsEnvironmentEstrogen Receptor ModulatorsFemaleHumansMelatoninObesityRisk
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations39
Citations/Year5.6
Relative Citation Ratio2.14
NIH Percentile76.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score0.84
Normalized Score0.78
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