Summary
This review examines small molecules that can modulate the circadian clock to treat cancer and other circadian-related disorders, highlighting the growing evidence that circadian disruption is a driver of oncogenesis. While not directly focused on lighting design, the findings underscore the clinical importance of maintaining robust circadian rhythms, supporting the case for circadian-supportive lighting in healthcare environments.
Key Findings
- Circadian rhythm disruption is linked to increased risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and cancer-related disorders.
- Specific small molecules (clock modulators) have been identified that can target core clock components (e.g., CRY, PER, BMAL1, CLOCK) to potentially treat circadian-related diseases including cancer.
- The review identifies several compound classes capable of lengthening or shortening circadian period, stabilizing clock proteins, or resetting phase — mechanisms relevant to chronotherapy strategies.
Categories
Sleep & Circadian Health: Reviews how circadian rhythm disruption contributes to disease, including cancer, and how small molecules can modulate clock function.
The Science of Light: Covers the molecular biology of the circadian clock, including core clock components relevant to photoentrainment and circadian regulation.
Author(s)
S Rahman, K Wittine, M Sedić, EP Markova-Car
Publication Year
2020
Number of Citations
13
Related Publications
Sleep & Circadian Health
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- The two‐process model of sleep regulation: a reappraisal
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
- Strange vision: ganglion cells as circadian photoreceptors
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice