A new meta-study appearing in the Journal of Pineal Research says that the role of melatonin for the treatment of cancer is looking increasingly compelling. In fact, researchers are so enthusiastic that they believe cancer funding agencies should be eager to support North American clinical trials to evaluate its therapeutic role in a variety of cancers. Melatonin - a hormone naturally found in humans - and its association with cancer has been shown in a number of studies assessing links between shift-work and cancer rates. The link between melatonin levels and cancer suggests that melatonin may play a role in limiting cancer progression.
In the new meta-study, the researchers analyzed all previous clinical trials that assessed the role of melatonin as a therapy for solid tumor cancers. The cancers involved included lung, brain, skin, renal and breast cancer. The studies examined the effect of large doses of melatonin (10 to 40mg/day) on survival rates after one year. It was found that melatonin reduced the risk of death after one year by 34 percent. The effects appeared to be consistent across studies which has prompted the researchers to urge further investigations. "Effects this large certainly warrant further clinical trials," they said. The study also showed that melatonin was predominantly safe and had a beneficial effect on sleep patterns of patients.
The clinical trials involved in the meta-study were from Europe and the researchers believe that clinical trials in North America should have been initiated back in 1996/7 as the findings from Europe were becoming apparent. Until those trials are completed, the researchers urge caution in interpreting the immediate clinical usefulness of large doses of melatonin and recommend patients discuss this with their doctors before beginning any treatments.
But the researchers are excited by the prospects of a potential new treatment. Study co-author Dugald Seely states, "This analysis shows a strong association. The low adverse events reported and low costs related to this intervention should be of substantial interest to patients, physicians and policy makers."
Source: McMaster University
