Melatonin: does it have utility in the treatment of hematologic neoplasms?

Abstract

Melatonin, discovered in 1958 in the bovine pineal tissue, is an indoleamine that modulates circadian rhythms and has a wide variety of other functions.

Hematologic neoplasms are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents throughout the world.

Research has demonstrated that melatonin is a low-toxicity protective molecule against experimental hematological neoplasms, but the mechanisms remain poorly defined.

Herein, we provide an introduction to hematologic neoplasms and melatonin, especially as they relate to the actions of melatonin on hematologic carcinogenesis.

Secondly, we summarize what is known about the mechanisms of action of melatonin in the hematological system, including its proapoptotic, pro-oxidative, anti-proliferative, and immunomodulatory actions.

Thirdly, we discuss the advantages of melatonin in combination with anti-hematological malignancy drugs, as well as its other benefits on the hematological system.

Finally, we summarize the findings that are contrary to the suppressive effects of melatonin on cancers of hematological origin.

It is the hope of the authors that this information will be helpful in the design of studies related to the therapeutic efficacy of melatonin in hematological neoplasms.

NOTE: This publication cites The Di Bella Method (DBM) in these pubblications:

• Todisco M, Casaccia P, Rossi N. - Cyclophosphamide plus somatostatin, bromocriptin, retinoids, melatonin and ACTH in the treatment of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas at advanced stage: results of a phase II trial. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2001 Apr;16(2):171-7;
• Todisco M. - Relapse of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation: a case successfully treated with cyclophosphamide plus somatostatin, bromocriptine, melatonin, retinoids, and ACTH. Am J Ther. 2006 Nov-Dec;13(6):556-7;
• Todisco M. - Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma at advanced stage: a case successfully treated with cyclophosphamide plus somatostatin, bromocriptine, retinoids, and melatonin. Am J Ther. 2007 Jan-Feb;14(1):113-5;
• Todisco M. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: long-lasting remission with combination of cyclophosphamide, somatostatin, bromocriptine, retinoids, melatonin, and ACTH. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2009 Jun;24(3):353-5. doi: 10.1089/cbr.2008.0570;
• Di Bella G, Colori B, Mascia F. - The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 55 cases of lymphomas. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2012;33(8):773-81.

About this publication.

See also:

- About Melatonin;

- Congenital fibrosarcoma in complete remission with Somatostatin, Retinoids, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Melatonin, Calcium, Chondroitin sulfate associated with low doses of Cyclophosphamide in a 14-year Follow Up;

- Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: clinical records on 17 patients treated with Di Bella's Method;

- The Di Bella Method Increases by the 30% the survival rate for Pancreas tumors and for this reason should be proposed as first line therapy for this type of cancer;

- Cyclophosphamide plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptin, Retinoids, Melatonin and ACTH in the Treatment of Low-grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas at Advanced Stage: Results of a Phase II Trial;

- Relapse of High-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Melatonin, Retinoids, and ACTH;

- Low-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at Advanced Stage: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Retinoids, and Melatonin;

- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 55 cases of Lymphomas;

- Large B-cells Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage IV-AE: a Case Report;

- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage III-B-E: a Case Report;

- A case of advanced Multiple Myeloma treated with Di Bella Method (DBM) into total remission for 13 years;

- Somatostatin, retinoids, melatonin, vitamin D, bromocriptine, and cyclophosphamide in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients with low performance status;

- Somatostatin, retinoids, melatonin, vitamin D, bromocriptine, and cyclophosphamide in chemotherapy-pretreated patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and low performance status;

- Observations on the Report of a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with lymph node, hepatic and osseus metastasis;

- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Long-Lasting Remission with Combination of Cyclophosphamide, Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Retinoids, Melatonin, and ACTH;

- The Di Bella Method DBM improved survival objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 23 tumours of the head and neck;

- Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV – WHO 2007): a case of complete objective response achieved by means of the concomitant administration of Somatostatin and Octreotide – Retinoids – Vitamin E – Vitamin D3 – Vitamin C – Melatonin – D2 R agonists (Di Bella Method – DBM) associated with Temozolomide;

- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the first-line treatment with somatostatin combined with melatonisn, retinoids, vitamin D3, and low doses of cyclophosphamide in 20 cases of breast cancer: a preliminary report;

- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 122 cases of breast cancer;

- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma.