Our aim is to provide patients with safe and effective medicinal treatment after giving careful consideration to the characteristics of drugs, proposing medication that is able to fulfill its potential as much as possible and to prove the hypothesis. As a methodology to achieve this purpose, we have focused on " Chronotherapy" . The biologic functions of most living organisms are organized along an approximate 24-hour time cycle or circadian rhythm. For example, synthesis of cholesterol and cortisol showed clear 24-hour rhythms with a peak at night and a peak in the morning, respectively. Moreover, it has been reported that there are 24-hour rhythms for asthma attacks and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Chronotherapy is defined as the administration of medications in accordance with biological rhythms in order to optimize therapeutic outcomes and/or control adverse effects. These effects arise from the 24-hour rhythms found in elements of cellular physiology such as the cell cycle, receptors, hormones and enzymes. It has been reported that many drugs such as antitumor drugs, antidepressants, and analgesic drugs show rhythm-dependent differences in their effects and pharmacokinetics.

We have studied the chronopharmacology and chronotherapy of antitumor agents and antirheumatic drugs in animals and in patients. Based on this evidence, we have obtained very interesting findings that facilitate the selection of an optimal dosing schedule associated with the 24-hour rhythms expected to promote safe and effective drug therapy. Further elucidation of these mechanisms is also expected to facilitate the development of new drugs targeting the 24-hour rhythms. Our research theme is shown below.