The Pineal Gland and Cancer: Neuroimmunoendocrine Mechanisms in Malignancy

by C. Bartsch (Editor), H. Bartsch (Editor), D.E. Blask (Editor), D.P. Cardinali (Editor), W.J.M. Hrushesky (Editor)

Overview

The link between the pineal gland and cancer is a rapidly emerging research field due to promising experimental and clinical trials with melatonin. The pineal gland acts as a transducer of environmental light to regulate rhythmic processes, including reproductive function in seasonally breeding animals and the entrainment of circadian rhythms, such as the sleep-wake cycle, in man. This book elucidates the physiological significance of the pineal gland and surveys phenomena and mechanisms of pineal - tumor interaction at the neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, neural, and molecular levels. Yet unidentified low-molecular-weight pineal substances with tumor-inhibiting capacity, a possible involvement of melatonin in electromagnetic field effects on cancer, and the oncotherapeutic potential of melatonin are also addressed. The encouraging results should incite further research to elucidate the exact nature of the link between the pineal gland and cancer for the benefit of patients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642595127
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	12/06/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB

Table of Contents

Section I: Significance of the Pineal Gland and Its Hormone Melatonin.- 1 Some Historical Remarks Concerning Research on the Pineal Gland and Cancer.- 2 Biology of the Pineal Gland and Melatonin in Humans.- 3 The Role of Melatonin in the Neuroendocrine System: Multiplicity of Sites and Mechanisms of Action.- 4 The Pineal Gland and Chronobiologic History: Mind and Spirit as Feedsidewards in Time Structures for Prehabilitation.- 5 Melatonin Involvement in Cancer: Methodological Considerations.- Section II: Effect of Tumor Growth on the Production and Secretion of Pineal Melatonin.- 6 Analysis of Melatonin in Patients with Cancer of the Reproductive System.- 7 Melatonin in Patients with Cancer of Extra-Reproductive Location.- 8 The Modulation of Melatonin in Tumor-Bearing Animals: Underlying Mechanisms and Possible Significance for Prognosis.- 9 The Pineal Gland, Melatonin, and Neoplastic Growth: Morphological Approach.- Section III: Effects of Melatonin and of Unidentified Pineal Products on Tumor Growth.- 10 In Vitro Effects of Melatonin on Tumor Cells.- 11 Melatonin and Colon Carcinogenesis.- 12 Role of Extrapineal Melatonin and Related APUD Series Peptides in Malignancy.- 13 A Survey of the Evidence That Melatonin and Unidentified Pineal Substances Affect Neoplastic Growth.- 14 Experimental Studies of the Pineal Gland Preparation Epithalamin.- Section IV: Mechanisms of Action of Melatonin on Tumor Cells.- A. Actions Via the Endocrine System.- 15 An Overview of the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Experimental Tumor Growth by Melatonin and Its Analogues and the Therapeutic Use of Melatonin in Oncology.- 16 Modulation of the Estrogen Response Pathway in Human Breast Cancer Cells by Melatonin.- 17 Benign and Tumor Prostate Cells as Melatonin Target Sites.- B. Actions Via theImmune System.- 18 Neuroimmunomodulation Via the Autonomic Nervous System.- 19 Melatonin and Immune Functions.- 20 Melatonin and the Immune System: Therapeutic Potential in Cancer, Viral Diseases, and Immunodeficiency States.- 21 Melatonin Rhythms in Mice: Role in Autoimmune and Lymphoproliferative Diseases.- 22 Mechanisms Involved in the Immunomodulatory Effects of Melatonin on the Human Immune System.- C Actions Via Neural Pathways.- 23 The Role of the Pineal Gland in Neural Control of Cell Proliferation in Healthy and Malignant Tissue.- D. Molecular Mechanisms of Action.- 24 Reactive Oxygen Species, DNA Damage, and Carcinogenesis: Intervention with Melatonin.- 25 Could the Antiproliferative Effect of Melatonin Be Exerted Via the Interaction of Melatonin with Calmodulin and Protein Kinase C?.- Section V: Oncotherapeutic Potential of Melatonin.- 26 Efficacy of Melatonin in the Immunotherapy of Cancer Using Interleukin-2.- 27 Melatonin Cancer Therapy.- Section VI: Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer: The Possible Role of Melatonin.- 28 Circadian Disruption and Breast Cancer.- 29 Breast Cancer and Use of Electric Power: Experimental Studies on the Melatonin Hypothesis.- 30 Magnetic Field Exposure and Pineal Melatonin Production (Mini-Review).- 31 Nocturnal Hormone Profiles in Healthy Humans Under the Influence of Pulsed High-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.- 32 Weak High-Frequency (Radiofrequency, Microwave) Electromagnetic Fields: Epidemiological Evidence of Their Impact on Cancer Development and Reproductive Outcome.