The influence of bio-behavioural factors on tumour biology: pathways and mechanisms

Abstract

Epidemiological studies indicate that stress, chronic depression and lack of social support might serve as risk factors for cancer development and progression. Recent cellular and molecular studies have identified biological processes that could potentially mediate such effects. This review integrates clinical, cellular and molecular studies to provide a mechanistic understanding of the interface between biological and behavioural influences in cancer, and identifies novel behavioural or pharmacological interventions that might help improve cancer outcomes.

No evidence that social stress is associated with breast cancer incidence

“…Surveys of breast cancer survivors, and of those with no history of breast cancer, find that women commonly attribute the experience of stress as a contributory cause of this disease [2][3][4]. This view is supported by animal modelbased psychoneuroimmunological evidence concerning the effects of behavioural stress on tumorigenesis and the biological mechanisms involved [5][6][7]. In addition, psychological distress factors are known to be associated with established anthropometric, behavioural, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to tumour growth and development [5,[8][9][10].…”

“…This view is supported by animal modelbased psychoneuroimmunological evidence concerning the effects of behavioural stress on tumorigenesis and the biological mechanisms involved [5][6][7]. In addition, psychological distress factors are known to be associated with established anthropometric, behavioural, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to tumour growth and development [5,[8][9][10]. A recent comprehensive review and meta-analysis of the relationship between psychosocial factors and cancer incidence (and survival) showed no overall association between exposure to stressful circumstances and breast cancer [11].…”

Writing social determinants into and out of cancer control: An assessment of policy practice

“…As early as 1991 the evidence of the association between cancer and low SES was sufficient for the Director of the US National Cancer Institute to publicly state that "poverty is a carcinogen" (Broder, 1991). More recently, from oncogenesis (Antoni, Lutgendorf, Cole, Dhabhar, Sephton, McDonald et al, 2006) to cancer survival (Woods, Rachet, & Coleman, 2006), the body of theory and evidence implicating SES in cancer has grown, making social determination a key question for cancer policy-makers.…”

Regional anesthesia and prostate cancer recurrence

“…• Surgery releases tumour cells into the circulation [1][2][3] ; depresses cell-mediated immunity, including cytotoxic T-cell and natural killer cell functions [7][8][9][10] ; reduces circulating concentrations of tumour-related anti-angiogenic factors, e.g., angiostatin and endostatin [11][12][13][14] ; increases concentrations of pro-angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor 15,16 ; and releases growth factors that promote local and distant growth of malignant tissue. 5 • Anesthesia impairs immune functions, including neutrophil, macrophages, dendritic cells, T-cell, and NKcell functions.…”

“…l'angiotensine et l'endostatine [11][12][13][14] ; elle augmente les concentrations de facteurs pro-angiogéniques, tels que le facteur de croissance endothélial 15,16 ; et elle libère les facteurs de croissance qui favorisent la croissance locale et distante de tissus malins. 5 • L'anesthésie diminue les fonctions immunitaires, notamment les fonctions des neutrophiles, des macrophages, des cellules dendritiques, des lymphocytes T et des cellules tueuses naturelles.…”