CIRCADIAN CLOCK AND ITS ROLE FOR INDUCING OR PREVENTING CANCER WITH A VIEW ON CHRONOTHERAPY FOR CANCER TREATMENT

Abstract

The circadian clock is well known as a master regulator of mammalian physiology that regulates crucial biological processes in our body to maintain homeostasis and behaviors. We know that perturbation of the clock rhythmicity can change these crucial systems and can cause various diseases. In recent years, circadian rhythm disruption has been identified as an independent risk factor for cancer and thereby classified as a carcinogen. Different data showed circadian rhythm and clock genes to play very critical roles in several hallmarks for cancer, apoptosis, control of tumor cell proliferation, DNA repair, and metabolic alterations. In this review, we discussed the role of the circadian clock as a cause and in the management of cancer with several examples of studies that held great promise to use chronotherapy in standard clinical practice in the future. Nonetheless, a profound understanding on the molecular level regarding the factors of the clock that help or prevent cancer is still needed. The development of novel therapeutics targeting clock-mediated cancer-inducing factors is also needed to ensure the survival of cancer patients along with the existing chemotherapeutics. Keywords: Circadian Clock, Cancer, Clock genes, Chronotherapy.