Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle. It is also found in small amounts in certain foods, such as oats and sweet corn. Melatonin has been studied as a potential treatment for cancer because it may have antioxidant and immune-boosting properties, and some research suggests that it may help kill cancer cells and slow the growth of tumours. There are several ways that melatonin might be used in cancer treatment: 1. As a supplement: Melatonin supplements may be used to help improve [sleep](../Sleep.md) in people with cancer, as cancer and cancer treatments can often disrupt sleep. 2. In combination with [chemotherapy](../3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md): [Some studies](Melatonin.md#The%20efficacy%20and%20safety%20of%20melatonin%20in%20concurrent%20chemotherapy%20or%20radiotherapy%20for%20solid%20tumours:) have suggested that melatonin may enhance the effectiveness of [chemotherapy](../3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md) drugs and reduce the side effects of treatment. 3. As a standalone treatment: In some cases, melatonin may be used as a standalone direct anti-cancer treatment for certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer or prostate cancer. 20 mg daily dose is a common recommendation (what I've been doing so far), but I've seen much higher doses talked about as well. # Research ## Therapeutic strategies of melatonin in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis **Conclusions:** MLT exerts positive influence in tumor therapeutic strategies, including improving tumor remission rate and overall survival rate, while reducing the incidence of [chemotherapy](../3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md) side effects. #Source [Therapeutic strategies of melatonin in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6231436/) ## The efficacy and safety of melatonin in concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy for solid tumours: **Conclusions:** Melatonin as an adjuvant therapy for cancer led to substantial improvements in tumor remission, 1-year survival, and alleviation of radiochemotherapy-related side effects. #Source: [The efficacy and safety of melatonin in concurrent [chemotherapy](../3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md) or radiotherapy for solid tumors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22271210/) ## The protective effects of melatonin on blood cell counts of rectal cancer patients following radio-[chemotherapy](../3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md) **Conclusions:** Our results are indicating that melatonin could prevent or minimize the unfavorable effects of radiotherapy on blood cell count reductions by attenuating the adverse influence of radiation, probably through stimulation of cellular antioxidant potential as previously reported in animal models. #Source [The protective effects of melatonin on blood cell counts of rectal cancer patients following radio-[chemotherapy](../3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md): a randomized controlled trial - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30421178/) ## Melatonin as an Adjuvant to Antiangiogenic Cancer Treatments **Conclusions:** Numerous studies have described that melatonin has inhibitory effects on tumor growth. Among the mechanisms involved in the anti-cancer effects of melatonin are antiangiogenic actions. In vitro and in vivo results suggest that combinations of melatonin with different antitumour drugs and chemotherapeutics result in improved efficacy of the treatments. Melatonin alone has been extensively documented as an effective inhibitor of proliferation, migration, and invasion. In summary, the efficacy of melatonin to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents or ionizing radiation makes it a molecule that can be effective as an adjuvant to these cancer treatments. #Source [Melatonin as an Adjuvant to Antiangiogenic Cancer Treatments - PMC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8268559/)