Melatonin in Cancer Treatment

Dear Colleagues,

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone synthesized and secreted mainly by the pineal gland in the dark, usually overnight. In the last 25 years, multiple reports, including clinical trials and in vitro and in vivo studies, have documented that the pineal hormone has numerous potential benefits when it is included in protocols designed to treat tumors. Melatonin acts as an oncostatic agent since it can modulate tumor gene expression, reducing the growth and development of estrogen-dependent breast tumors, mainly thanks to its antiestrogenic and antiangiogenic properties. As melatonin has no toxicity, this hormone is considered an excellent agent for use as a useful co-adjuvant in cancer prevention and therapy. Melatonin pharmacodynamics are based on its interactions with different receptors, such as MT-1, MT-2, calmodulin, or nuclear receptors.

This Special Issue aims to gather and display current knowledge and the newest findings about the use of melatonin in basic and translational cancer research. Here, we are interested in knowing the specific molecular changes induced by conventional therapies that melatonin can modulate in a potentially beneficial way. Updated research articles, short reports, integral reviews, and communications are welcome.

Dr. Javier Menéndez-Menéndez
Guest Editor

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• melatonin
• pineal gland
• physiology
• cancer research
• chemotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacology