Melatonin Research Articles for Cancer Support Patients:

By Dr. Danielle:
Each week, I have the pleasure of assisting quality of life protocols for patients experiencing side effects of conventional cancer treatments. My work with Cancer Support Sonoma at the Sonoma Valley Hospital is a humbling experience, one that I do not take for granted. This post is specifically for the patients that I have consulted with that would like to re-visit the melatonin research articles that have I presented at one of our visits.

As an overview of melatonin, it's use goes far beyond improving sleep. When it comes to cancer, melatonin has been cited as being effective for reducing the side effects associated with chemotherapy (hair loss, low platelets, nerve pain, weakness, etc) and may have direct inhibitory effects on the formation, growth and spread (metastatic behavior) of breast cancer cell types. While the majority of melatonin research is performed in relation to breast cancer, it has notable adjuvant benefits in prostate, lung, and colon cancers, as well. Below, are several notable articles and research studies on the effect of melatonin on breast cancer cells and prognosis. 

Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

An Overview of Melatonin in Breast Cancer - Melatonin: an Inhibitor of Breast Cancer

Effect of Melatonin in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Markers and Invasive Properties of Breast Cancer Stem Cells of Canine and Human Cell Lines 

Circadian Regulation Metabolic Signaling Mechanisms of Human Breast Cancer Growth by the Nocturnal Melatonin Signal and the Consequences of it's Disruption By Light At Night 

Susan G. Komen's Description of Melatonin  


EDITED: Additional Melatonin Articles and Other Cancer Types

Role of Melatonin and Cancer Treatment

Melatonin Suppresses the Growth of Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

Benefits of Melatonin in Solid Tumors When Used Concurrently With Chemotherapy