Abstract

Circadian rhythms, driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus and orchestrated by clock genes, regulate vital cellular and systemic processes including DNA repair, apoptosis, metabolism, and immune surveillance. Disruption of these rhythms, through shift work, artificial light at night, or irregular eating, is strongly associated with increased cancer risk and progression. Chronotype the individual preference for morning or evening activity modifies susceptibility, with evening types consistently showing higher incidence of breast, lung, prostate, and endometrial cancers. Nutrition timing, or chrononutrition, further influences circadian alignment; early time-restricted eating (TRE) and prolonged overnight fasting improve metabolic balance and appear protective against tumorigenesis. Fasting and ketogenic diets enhance cancer therapy responsiveness by lowering insulin/ IGF-1 signaling, inducing autophagy, and reducing inflammation. Chronotherapy, synchronizing drug delivery with circadian rhythms, improves tolerability and therapeutic efficacy. Integration of chrononutrition and chronotherapy offers a promising framework for precision oncology, although large-scale clinical validation remains a critical need.

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