Our internal biological clock plays a role in the development and spread of cancer. According to Swiss researchers, the success of a cancer treatment and the reliability of a cancer diagnosis are therefore determined by the time of day at which it takes place.
We all have a biological clock, also called the circadian rhythm. This internal clock regulates our sleep rhythm and other processes in our body, according to a day and night rhythm of about 24 hours.
It has been known for some time that a chronically disturbed circadian rhythm, for example due to jet lag or night shifts, can increase the risk of developing cancer. More recent studies have shown that this also increases the risk of metastasis. From an extensive analysis from previous studies, Swiss scientists conclude that there is an optimal time per cancer type to detect and treat it. They mainly looked at metastases. Their findings they published Trends in Cell Biology.
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New way of treating
Most cancer patients die as a result of metastases. Metastasis occurs when cells separate from the primary tumor and travel through the body to another site. The rate at which these cells detach varies throughout the day. This rhythm differs per cancer type. The circadian rhythm therefore influences when metastases occur.
That is why the researchers advocate a new way of treatment, in which practitioners take advantage of the fact that there is a higher risk of metastases at certain times. In such a treatment, medicines are administered at specific times. The clinical studies they discuss show that such a treatment can increase the chance of survival.
Cancer diagnosis timing
In addition, the severity of side effects also decreases, because the toxicity of cancer drugs also depends on the time of day. The optimal time differs per cancer type and treatment. The researchers also emphasize that the benefits depend on other factors, such as gender and age.
Diagnosing cancer at a specific time can also have a positive effect. To detect cancer, doctors take samples of tissue, so-called biopsies. In this they check whether they find proteins produced by cancer cells. The production of these proteins also varies during the day. Mapping this and then taking biopsies at times when protein production is highest reduces the chance that doctors will miss the presence of cancer cells.
Attention shortage
According to chronobiologist Frank Scheer from Harvard University in the United States, who was not involved in the research, this is a very important field of research. ‘Research into this subject has been going on for a long time and shows promising results. It just hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves from both the general public and doctors.’
Scheer emphasizes that there are still snags to this method of treatment. Not only is the effect of a timed treatment different in men than in women, the circadian rhythm also differs between individuals. “Although there are still many uncertainties and we need to better understand the factors that play a role in its success, a treatment like this is certainly realistic in the future.”
