Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer in human beings and is also the major cause of death among the other gastrointestinal cancers. The exact mechanisms of CRC development in most patients remains unclear. So far, several genetically, environmental and epigenetically risk factors have been identified for CRC development. The circadian rhythm is a 24-h rhythm that drives several biologic processes. The circadian system is guided by a central pacemaker which is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus. Circadian rhythm is regulated by circadian clock genes, cytokines and hormones like melatonin. Disruptions in biological rhythms are known to be strongly associated with several diseases, including cancer. The role of the different circadian genes has been verified in various cancers, however, the pathways of different circadian genes in the pathogenesis of CRC are less investigated. Identification of the details of the pathways in CRC helps researchers to explore new therapies for the malignancy.

结直肠癌 (CRC) 是人类第三大常见癌症，也是其他胃肠道癌症中的主要死因。大多数患者发生 CRC 的确切机制仍不清楚。到目前为止，已经确定了几种导致 CRC 发展的遗传、环境和表观遗传风险因素。昼夜节律是一种 24 小时节律，可驱动多种生物过程。昼夜节律系统由位于下丘脑视交叉上核 (SCN) 的中央起搏器引导。昼夜节律受生物钟基因、细胞因子和褪黑激素等激素的调节。众所周知，生物节律的中断与包括癌症在内的多种疾病密切相关。不同昼夜节律基因的作用已在各种癌症中得到证实，然而，CRC 发病机制中不同昼夜节律基因的通路研究较少。确定 CRC 中通路的细节有助于研究人员探索恶性肿瘤的新疗法。