Melatonin as a therapeutic adjuvant for radiation dermatitisin breast cancer: a review of mechanisms and clinicaloutcomes

Movahedi, Mahdiyeh; Jafari, Anya; Arbab, Mona

doi:10.22034/ijd.2025.533852.2063

Melatonin as a therapeutic adjuvant for radiation dermatitisin breast cancer: a review of mechanisms and clinicaloutcomes

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Mahdiyeh Movahedi ¹^{, 2}

Anya Jafari ³

Mona Arbab ⁴

¹ Department of Dermatology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran

³ Radiation oncologist, Department of Radiation Oncology of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science

⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA

https://doi.org/10.22034/ijd.2025.533852.2063

Abstract

Radiation therapy is one of the main treatments for patients with breast cancer. Dermatitis is a common side effect of breast cancer radiation. The use of adjuvant molecules can enhance the anticancer effects of radiotherapy while reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues by either killing tumor cells or slowing their growth. Melatonin, a natural hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has been shown to increase the therapeutic efficacy of radiation and mitigate side effects in normal tissues. It can also act as a radiosensitizer in breast cancer. These effects are likely due to reduced oxidative stress, decreased apoptosis of healthy cells, and diminished inflammation. However, few studies have explored the role of melatonin in radiation therapy for breast cancer, the optimal dosage of melatonin, and its impact on patients’ quality of life. Further research suggests that higher doses of melatonin and corticosteroids may affect the efficacy of melatonin cream in preventing radiation-induced dermatitis. This review investigated the radioprotective mechanisms of melatonin and its effects on radiation-induced dermatitis in women with breast cancer.

Keywords

melatonin

radiodermatitis

breast cancer

radiotherapy

therapeutic adjuvant