title: [The influence of melatonin on the immune system and cancer].
abstract: Melatonin has been shown to play a fundamental part in neuroimmunomodulation. Besides regulating the circadian rhythm it works as a natural antioxidant with immune stimulatory and anti-cancer properties. Melatonin is a regulator of haemopoiesis and modifies various cells and cytokines of the immune system. Also, melatonin elicits oncostatic properties in a variety of different tumour cell lines. A number of studies have documented that when given in combination with chemo-therapy to patients with disseminated disease, melatonin increases the overall one-year survival and reduces toxic side effects.
authors.forename: Anna Gry
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Vinther
authors.affiliation: Panuminstituttet, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 København N. claesson@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Mogens Helweg
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Claësson
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D008550:Melatonin / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008550:Melatonin