Exploiting

Circadian Rhythms in Anticancer Immunity: Mechanisms and Treatment Opportunities

Authors

Robert Pick, Chen Wang, Qun Zeng, Zeynep Melis Gül, Christoph Scheiermann

Journal

Annual Review of Immunology

Abstract

Circadian rhythms of approximately 24 h have emerged as important modulators of the immune system. These oscillations are important for mounting short-term, innate immune responses, but surprisingly also long-term, adaptive immune responses. Recent data indicate that they play a central role in antitumor immunity, in both mice and humans. In this review, we discuss the evolving literature on circadian antitumor immune responses and the underlying mechanisms that control them. We further provide an overview of circadian treatment regimens—chrono-immunotherapies—that harness time-of-day differences in immunity for optimal efficacy. Our aim is to provide an overview for researchers and clinicians alike, for a better understanding of the circadian immune system and how to best harness it for chronotherapeutic interventions. This knowledge is important for a better understanding of immune responses per se and could revolutionize the way we approach the treatment of cancer and a range of other diseases, ultimately improving clinical practice.

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Supporting media

Member authors

Research area

A01

Exploiting

Mechanisms of circadian vaccination responses in humans and mice

The timing of vaccination can influence immune protection, yet the molecular processes translating time of day into long-term immunity remain poorly understood. This project explores how circadian physiology shapes early immune activation and downstream responses after vaccination in humans and mice.

Mechanisms of circadian vaccination responses in humans and mice

The timing of vaccination can influence immune protection, yet the molecular processes translating time of day into long-term immunity remain poorly understood. This project explores how circadian physiology shapes early immune activation and downstream responses after vaccination in humans and mice.