The influence of Circadian Rhythm on Cancers

Circadian rhythms, which are intrinsic 24-hour biological cycles, regulate essential physiological processes that significantly impact health and are intricately associated with cancer development. Modern lifestyle disruptions can disturb circadian rhythms, affecting key tumorigenesis pathways like cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response, and metabolic processes. Core circadian proteins BMAL1 and CLOCK significantly influence cancer progression. Specifically, BMAL1 has been shown to activate oncogenic signaling pathways. Chronotherapy is a novel treatment that synchronizes the delivery of treatment with circadian biology. It shows outstanding promise in enhancing cancer treatment efficacy while reducing side effects. Clinical trials indicate that optimal temporal administration of chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents can significantly reduce drug toxicity and improve treatment outcomes. Despite implementation challenges, recent technological advances and deeper circadian insights are enabling personalized treatment development. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of synchronizing cancer therapies with circadian rhythms to improve outcomes.