Circadian Biomarkers and Chronotherapy: Implications for Personalized and Systems Medicine

Abstract

The advancement in chronotherapy may enrich the practice of personalized and systems medicine. Biomarkers based on chronobiology and systems biology can be used for the establishment of systemic rhythmic profiles toward more precise diagnosis and individualized treatment. Strategies in chronotherapy can be applied for the optimized timing, amount, and composition of drug administration to promote the efficacy and minimize the toxicity. Novel drugs can also be designed to target the relevant circadian mechanisms and chrono-biomarkers associated with pathogenesis such as inflammation. Preliminary screening of novel therapeutics for their potentials in chronotherapy may become an innovative strategy for promoting the quality of medical practice. With multi-directional connections across various levels, systemic factors including cellular networks, rhythmic behaviors, and lifestyle can be integrated into the comprehensive therapeutic profiles. The applications of personalized chronotherapy may provide benefits for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, depression, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis.