Sixty-three patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that was resistant to cisplatin were randomly assigned to receive supportive care plus melatonin (10 mg/day at 7 p.m.) or supportive care alone (control group). Melatonin was given daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day rest; this cycle was repeated until the disease progressed. The mean survival time was significantly greater in patients receiving melatonin than in the control group (7.9 vs 4.1 months). The proportion of patients alive at one year was significantly higher in the melatonin group than in the control group.

Comment: Melatonin has demonstrated anticancer activity in a number of human and animal studies. The mechanism of action of melatonin may include stimulation of the immune system, inhibition of the production of growth factors, or a direct cytostatic effect. The results of the present study suggest that melatonin may prolong survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose disease has progressed while receiving cisplatin therapy. Other studies of patients with various solid tumors have shown that melatonin increases survival, improves quality of life, and may reduce the side effects of some conventional cancer medications.

Lissoni P, et al. Randomized study with the pineal hormone melatonin versus supportive care alone in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer resistant to a first-line chemotherapy containing cisplatin. Oncology 1992;49:336-339.