Role of melatonin in carcinogenesis and metastasis: From mechanistic insights to intermeshed networks of noncoding RNAs

Cell Biochem Funct. 2024 Jun;42(4):e3995. doi: 10.1002/cbf.3995.

Abstract

In recent years, seminal studies have been devoted to unraveling the puzzling mysteries associated with the cancer preventive/inhibitory role of melatonin. Our current knowledge of the translational mechanisms and the detailed structural insights have highlighted the characteristically exclusive role of melatonin in the inhibition of carcinogenesis and metastatic dissemination. This mini-review outlines recent discoveries related to mechanistic role of melatonin in prevention of carcinogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, another exciting facet of this mini-review is related to phenomenal breakthroughs linked with regulation of noncoding RNAs by melatonin in wide variety of cancers.

Keywords: apoptosis; cancer; melatonin; metastasis; signaling.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Melatonin* / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Metastasis*
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • RNA, Untranslated* / metabolism