Melatonin Anti - Cancer Mechanisms

Melatonin Anti - Cancer Mechanisms


Melatonin can kill directly many different types of human tumor cells.  It is a naturally produced cytotoxin, which can induce tumor cell death (apoptosis).  In instances where the tumor has already established itself in the body, melatonin has been shown to inhibit the tumor’s growth rate.  Melatonin exhibits natural oncostatic activity and inhibits cancer cell growth.  In patients in whom cancer already has become a noticeable physical burden and produces overt symptoms, melatonin has been shown to alleviate numerous cancer symptoms  and to inhibit development of new tumor blood vessels (tumor angiogenesis),  which in turn inhibits the cancer from spreading further (metastasis).  Melatonin can retard tumor metabolism and development by lowering the body temperature;  it is a natural inducer of hypothermia. Furthermore, as an inducer of antioxidants  and itself a weak preventive antioxidant,  melatonin hinders tumor cells from participating in free radical damage to normal cells and consequently limits oxidative damage to DNA,  lipids,  amino acids, and proteins. 


In the unfortunate circumstance in which cancer has already overwhelmed the body’s innate cancer-fighting capabilities, including the anti-cancer activity of naturally produced melatonin (levels of which are reduced in most cancer patients), supplemental melatonin may be beneficial.  Melatonin plays a critical role in the host defense system against cancer’s progression by activating the cytokine system,  which exerts growth-inhibiting properties,  and by stimulating the cytotoxic activity of macrophages and monocytes. 



These days, most people are likely to associate melatonin with a hormone that helps people sleep better or prevents jet lag.  Few people realize that melatonin is a cancer-killing hormone  that can enhance the human immune system,  protect against the toxic side effects of chemotherapy  and radiation therapy,   and improve wound healing after cancer surgery.  Even fewer are aware of tons of ongoing clinical trials in which melatonin is being used to help cancer patients better manage their disease symptoms,  improve their quality of life, and even increase their survival rates. 


Although the evidence demonstrating melatonin’s anti-cancer effects  cannot be overstated, melatonin’s impact on cancer treatment remains largely unappreciated. This is likely because pharmaceutical companies have little to gain by advertising the anticancer efficacy of melatonin. In Europe, where melatonin is not even readily available, many clinical trials of melatonin have been conducted.  US pharmaceutical companies, however, have shown little interest in even hosting, let alone funding, such critically important and potentially lifesaving clinical trials.



Administration of supplemental melatonin has been shown to be beneficial even in the supportive care of advanced and end-stage cancer patients: it lessens tissue wasting and diminishes weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and depression; enhances immune function;  improves wound healing;   and improves quality of life and survival rates.  Furthermore, melatonin improves common symptoms found in both patients with advanced cancer and those undergoing chemotherapy; it counteracts anemia  and lymphocytopenia,  stimulates platelet production,  enhances appetite,  and diminishes cancer pain  (including bone pain) through its natural analgesic properties.  These are substantial benefits considering that approximately half of all patients diagnosed with cancer die just because of poor symptom management. 


It can also help combat some of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, when given in high doses (one person was advised by a cancer specialist to give her 120-lb dog 20-40 mg each night at bedtime while undergoing radiation treatment).. Melatonin has been used with dogs to combat thunderstorm phobias and certain forms of alopecia (hair loss), and is being tried as a treatment for separation anxiety, so it is safe to use with dogs, at least in moderation.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16207291

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12823608


I GIVE LUCY 10MG ON THE NIGHTS SHE DOES NOT TAKE WORMWOOD/Artemisinin. Why alternating weeks? You can't give a strong antioxident like melatonin with wormwood. It would cancel out the wormwood/artemisinin.