Use of melatonin in cancerology: the paradox

摘要

Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which is used in France as a treatment for insomnia. Recent data shows that melatonin is implicated in other pathways, and many authors support the use of melatonin in oncology, either in supportive care or even cancer treatment. The aim of this review is to underline the paradox that exists between the significant number of preclinical and clinical studies in which melatonin has been investigated for a wide range of uses and the few indications for which it has been approved in current practice.