Impact of sleep insufficiency and recovery on cancer development

Abstract

Sleep plays a critical role in overall health, and modern lifestyles, such as shift work and late‐night activities, can significantly impact sleep condition. Insufficient sleep has been associated with various adverse health outcomes, including an increased risk of tumor development. Previous research has primarily focused on the effects of circadian rhythm disruption and related genetic mechanisms on tumorigenesis. However, an overlooked perspective is that the human body regulates and restores sleep through multiple mechanisms; especially, inflammatory pathways may also impair homeostasis and promote tumor development. Compensatory sleep recovery is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1, IL‐6, and activation of the NF‐κB pathway, which may suppress the anti‐tumor inflammatory rebound of immune cells. These processes create a tumor‐promoting microenvironment that supports tumor survival and progression. Therefore, we propose that the inflammatory rebound during sleep recovery is a potential key contributor to tumor promotion. This review explores the molecular pathways through which insufficient sleep and the recovery process contribute to tumor progression.