The interconnection between cancer, circadian rhythms, and ageing forms a complex web where each factor influences the others significantly. Ageing is a primary risk factor for cancer; disruptions in circadian rhythms can facilitate tumour development, and ageing further complicates these rhythms. The shared mechanisms of genomic instability, cellular senescence, and chronic inflammation underscore their intricate relationships, offering new perspectives for managing cancer more effectively in clinical settings.
Essential clock genes such as BMAL1, CLOCK, PERs, and CRYs maintain circadian rhythms, which follow a 24-hour cycle. Disruption of these genes contributes to tumour initiation and progression by impacting cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, apoptosis, and the behaviour of cancer stem cells. Furthermore, these genes are linked to cancer risk and prognosis, illustrating the vital roles they play in maintaining cellular functions and their potential as targets for cancer treatment.
As we age, the intensity of neuronal rhythms in the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus diminishes, leading to desynchronization between the central and peripheral body clocks. This results in disrupted sleep patterns, altered hormone secretion, and metabolic dysregulation, all of which accelerate ageing processes and increase susceptibility to chronic diseases. Realigning these clocks could help mitigate age-related declines in muscle function and overall tissue health. This indicates that circadian rhythm adjustments could be a beneficial strategy against ageing.
Ageing increases cancer risk through various biological pathways, including reduced DNA repair, mitochondrial dysfunction, and changes in metabolic functions. Additionally, ageing cells often exhibit inflammatory responses and secretory phenotypes that promote tumour environments, facilitating cancer progression. These findings highlight the deep connections between ageing and cancer at molecular and systemic levels and suggest that targeting ageing-related processes could significantly enhance cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Research has revealed that circadian disruptions can accelerate ageing and increase cancer risk by affecting cellular processes like telomere length, antioxidant enzyme activity, and genomic stability. Night shift work, for example, is associated with telomere shortening and an increased risk of breast cancer. Similarly, continuous light exposure can decrease crucial antioxidant enzymes, worsening oxidative stress. Addressing these disruptions in circadian rhythms could play a critical role in reducing cancer risk and managing aging.
In summary, the interactions among circadian rhythms, ageing, and cancer involve complex biological mechanisms and have significant implications for health management. By understanding how these factors influence each other, researchers can develop strategies that target these interactions, such as chronotherapy and integrated therapies involving immunotherapy and advanced delivery systems. These strategies promise to delay ageing and reduce cancer incidence, highlighting the potential of circadian rhythm-based interventions in future healthcare.
More information: Jie Wang, et al, The Common Hallmarks and Interconnected Pathways of Aging, Circadian Rhythms, and Cancer: Implications for Therapeutic Strategies, Research. DOI: 10.34133/research.0612
