NCT07349459

Cardioprotective Effect of Melatonin Versus Vitamin D in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Doxorubicin

Clinical Study Evaluating Cardioprotective Effect of Melatonin Versus Vitamin D in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Doxorubicin

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Tanta University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to assess the cardioprotective effect of melatonin and vitamin D in breast cancer patients who receive doxorubicin.

Detailed description

Doxorubicin is one of the most potent chemotherapeutic agents and is widely used for the treatment of various cancers and hematological malignancies . Although Doxorubicin has a potential beneficial effect in cancer treatment, its dose-dependent cardio toxicity is considered a major challenge. Doxorubicin is known to generate free radicals either by redox cycling between a semiquinone form and a quinone form or by forming a Doxorubicin-Fe3+ complex . In both pathways, molecular oxygen is reduced to superoxide ion , which is converted to other forms of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical . These free radicals could then cause membrane and macromolecule damage, both of which lead to injury to the heart, an organ that has a relatively low level of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase . Furthermore, it was revealed that Doxorubicin may enhance the death of cardiomyocytes by affecting the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway via increasing the expression and levels of inflammatory genes interleukin and interleukin -6 . To alleviate DOX-induced toxicity, researchers have tested a number of strategies, including the administration of antioxidants and/or antiapoptotic agents, in both in vitro and in vivo models of Doxorubicin induced cytotoxicity, but most of these trials have failed to translate into clinical benefits . As a result, there are no effective approaches for alleviating Doxorubicin induced cytotoxicity despite intensive research over recent decades . Melatonin is a natural hormone that is primarily secreted by the pineal gland and functions as a major regulator of circadian rhythms in humans . Melatonin also plays a variety of biological roles as a modulator of mood, sexual behavior and sleep; low levels or a deficiency of melatonin are also associated with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, ischemic injury, diabetes, and even cancer . Melatonin has emerged as a promising adjuvant that protects against doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity, as highlighted by various studies and clinical trials that have demonstrated cardioprotective effects against several chemotherapeutic agents . Moreover, melatonin exhibits low toxicity and easily enters cells owing to its good solubility in both aqueous and organic phases and its highly lipophilic properties . Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of body function including the cardiovascular system . Vitamin D deficiency results in the decrease of active calcitriol leading to inhibition of proliferation of cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscles . This study aims to assess the cardioprotective effect of melatonin and vitamin D in breast cancer patients who receive doxorubicin.

Conditions

• Melatonin
• Breast Cancer Patients Diagnosed
• Vitamin D Concentration
• Doxorubicin

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Group 1 (Doxorubicin group)	30 patients will receive a traditional chemotherapeutic agent (Doxorubicin group) for 12 weeks.
DRUG	Group 2: Vitamin D group	patients with Vitamin D supplementation (1000 iu/day) plus traditional therapy for 12 weeks
DRUG	Group 3: melatonin group	patients with 10 mg of melatonin orally, once daily plus traditional therapy for 12 weeks

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-04-30
• Primary completion: 2026-08-30
• Completion: 2026-08-30
• First posted: 2026-01-16
• Last updated: 2026-01-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt