Circadian rhythm disruption and immunometabolic dysregulation in cancer: rethinking chronotherapy in precision oncology

Circadian rhythm disruption has emerged as a significant yet underexplored factor contributing to cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. The circadian clock regulates approximately 40% of the human genome, orchestrating immune function, metabolism, and cellular repair. Aberrant expression of clock genes alters tumor metabolism and immune surveillance, promoting tumor growth and immune evasion. Understanding the role of circadian misalignment in cancer biology could pave the way for optimizing drug delivery, improving immune checkpoint therapy outcomes, and advancing personalized chronotherapeutic interventions.