Non communicable chronic diseases represent the bulk of morbidity, disability and premature deaths in Europe and account for 75% of the disability-adjusted life years.

Among these, cancer represents the second cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Differences in tumor molecular characteristics and in patient genotype, gender, age, lifestyle and circadian clocks account for large variability in the time course of cancer diseases and response to treatments.

TEMPO addresses the control of several key dynamic pathways in cancer drug metabolism and cellular proliferation by the circadian timing system. This biological system consists of a network of molecular clocks which are coordinated by a brain pacemaker. As a result, the circadian timing system generates 24-hour rhythms in behavioral, bodily and cellular functions, through putting genes and proteins at work at the proper times of day or night, when their activity is anticipated to be most necessary. Circadian disruption occurs in tumors, and results in the deregulated proliferation of cancer cells.

Chronotherapeutics aim at the delivery of medications according to the 24-hour rhythms generated by the patient's molecular clocks in order both to prevent adverse events and to improve overall therapeutic activity. TEMPO aims at the personalization of the chronotherapeutic delivery pattern of anticancer drugs.