Circadian clock and cell cycle: Cancer and chronotherapy

The circadian clock is an endogenous timing system that ensures that various physiological processes have nearly 24 h circadian rhythms, including cell metabolism, division, apoptosis, and tumor production. In addition, results from animal models and molecular studies underscore emerging links between the cell cycle and the circadian clock. Mutations in the core genes of the circadian clock’ can disrupt the cell cycle, which in turn increases the possibility of tumors. At present, tumor chronotherapy, which relies on a circadian clock mechanism, is developing rapidly for optimizing the time of drug administration in tumor treatment to improve drug efficacy and safety. However, the relationship between the circadian clock and the cell cycle is extremely complicated. This review summarizes the possible connection between the circadian clock and the cell cycle. In addition, the review provides evidence of the influence of the circadian clock on senescence and cancer. •The circadian clock is an endogenous timing system that ensures that various physiological processes have nearly 24 h circadian rhythms.•Mutations in the core genes of the circadian clock’ can disrupt the cell cycle, which in turn increases the possibility of tumors.•Chronotherapy, which relies on a circadian clock mechanism, is developing rapidly for optimizing the time of drug administration in tumor treatment to improve drug efficacy and safety.