Unlocking the Clock: How Circadian Rhythms Could Fight Cancer

A study in mice reveals that cancer disrupts corticosterone rhythms. Fixing these rhythms shrinks tumors, potentially enhancing existing treatments. Researchers focus on improving the body's health to counteract cancer, using chronotherapy to align medication timing with circadian rhythms for better results.

Recent research using mice suggests a novel approach in cancer treatment that revolves around restoring the body's natural circadian rhythms. Disruption of the corticosterone rhythm, vital for stress regulation, was linked to tumor growth in breast cancer models. By reestablishing normal rhythms, scientists noted a significant reduction in tumor size.

Published by a team led by Jeremy Borniger at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the findings encourage leveraging the body's internal clock system, or the HPA axis, which governs day-night cycles. The study abstained from using traditional anti-cancer drugs, instead relying on physiological health to combat the disease.

Borniger emphasized the intriguing role of the diurnal cycle, discovering that the timing of neuron stimulation was crucial for effectiveness. Future research will delve into how tumors disrupt natural rhythms, potentially paving the way for innovative chronotherapy techniques to enhance treatment efficacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)