Perinatal light imprinting of circadian clocks and systems (PLICCS): A signature of photoperiod around birth on circadian system stability and association with cancer

ABSTRACT

Recent findings from animal models suggest that plasticity of human circadian clocks and systems may be differentially affected by different paradigms of perinatal photoperiod exposure to the detriment of health in later life, including cancer development. Focusing on the example of cancer, we carry out a series of systematic literature reviews concerning perinatal light imprinting of circadian clocks and systems (PLICCS) in animal models, and concerning the risk of cancer development with the primary determinants of the perinatal photoperiod, namely season of birth or latitude of birth. The results from these systematic reviews provide supporting evidence of the PLICCS and cancer rationale and highlight that investigations of PLICCS in humans are warranted. Overall, we discuss findings from experimental research and insights from epidemiological studies. Considerations as to how to “test” PLICCS in epidemiological studies and as to the potential for non-invasive preventative measures during perinatal periods close our synthesis. If the PLICCS rationale holds true, it opens the exciting prospect for amenable, early-life, preventative measures against cancer development (and other disorders) in later life. Indeed, non-invasive anthropogenic light exposure may have enormous potential to alleviate the public health and economic burden of circadian-related diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• circadian
• disease
• health
• perinatal
• imprinting
• latitude
• light
• photoperiod
• PLICCS
• prevention
• public health
• season

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Drs. Fritschi and Groß and the journal reviewers for their comments.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.