Melatonin and Selected Phytochemicals: A Promising Combination to Target Altered Metabolism in Cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are associated with several side effects, including chemoresistance and cancer relapse. As a result, there is a critical demand for new therapeutic agents to support the current therapeutic options. Recently, research started to focus on the possible positive interaction(s) between melatonin and many phytochemicals as a combination therapy to target altered metabolism in cancer. Such a combination has many advantages, including low toxicity, the possibility of having multiple synergistic anticancer effects, and low cost. This review comprehensively examines the current literature regarding combining melatonin with phytochemicals as a potential strategy to target cancer metabolism. It aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of cancer therapeutics by highlighting the potential benefits and future directions of melatonin-phytochemical combinations as an area of active research.