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Light During Darkness and Cancer: Relationships in Circadian Photoreception and Tumor Biology

  • Special Section on Cancer and Rhythm
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Abstract

The relationship between circadian phototransduction and circadian-regulated processes is poorly understood. Melatonin, commonly a circadian phase marker, may play a direct role in a myriad of physiologic processes. The circadian rhythm for pineal melatonin secretion is regulated by the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Its neural source of light input is a unique subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells expressing melanopsin, the primary circadian photopigment in rodents and primates. Action spectra of melatonin suppression by light have shown that light in the 446–477 nm range, distinct from the visual system’s peak sensitivity, is optimal for stimulating the human circadian system. Breast cancer is the oncological disease entity whose relationship to circadian rhythm fluctuations has perhaps been most extensively studied. Empirical data has increasingly supported the hypothesis that higher risk of breast cancer in industrialized countries is partly due to increased exposure to light at night. Studies of tumor biology implicate melatonin as a potential mediator of this effect. Yet, causality between lifestyle factors and circadian tumor biology remains elusive and likely reflects significant variability with physiologic context. Continued rigorous empirical inquiry into the physiology and clinical implications of these habitual, integrated aspects of life is highly warranted at this time.

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Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the continuing support and assistance of John P. Hanifin in referencing and reviewing the manuscript. Primary support for this manuscript was provided by grants from NIEHS IR21ES11659, with valuable co-support from NCI 1RO1CA85408-01A2.

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Correspondence to Samar A. Jasser.

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Jasser, S.A., Blask, D.E. & Brainard, G.C. Light During Darkness and Cancer: Relationships in Circadian Photoreception and Tumor Biology. Cancer Causes Control 17, 515–523 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-005-9013-6

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