Clocks, cancer, and chronochemotherapy

Jan 1, 2021Science (New York, N.Y.)

Body Clocks, Cancer, and Timed Chemotherapy

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Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Circadian clock dysfunction may predispose individuals to cancer.

The circadian clock influences gene expression, cell division, and DNA repair.
Epidemiologic and animal studies suggest a potential link between clock disruption and tumor development.
Current data do not support a definitive conclusion that clock dysfunction is generally carcinogenic.
Circadian timing may affect the efficacy of chemotherapy, though clinical trials have not shown improved outcomes.
Further research is needed to explore specific interactions between circadian mechanisms and cancer development.

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The circadian clock coordinates daily rhythmicity of biochemical, physiologic, and behavioral functions in humans. Gene expression, cell division, and DNA repair are modulated by the clock, which gives rise to the hypothesis that clock dysfunction may predispose individuals to cancer. Although the results of many epidemiologic and animal studies are consistent with there being a role for the clock in the genesis and progression of tumors, available data are insufficient to conclude that clock disruption is generally carcinogenic. Similarly, studies have suggested a circadian time-dependent efficacy of chemotherapy, but clinical trials of chronochemotherapy have not demonstrated improved outcomes compared with conventional regimens. Future hypothesis-driven and discovery-oriented research should focus on specific interactions between clock components and carcinogenic mechanisms to realize the full clinical potential of the relationship between clocks and cancer.

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Clocks, cancer, and chronochemotherapy

Abstract

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