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Abstract
Grant Number: 3R01CA104825-03S1 Project Title: Biobehavioral-Cytokine Interactions in Ovarian Cancer
PI Information: Name Title LUTGENDORF, SUSAN K. susan-lutgendorf@uiowa.edu ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer. Because of low rates of survival for the majority of ovarian cancer patients, identification of factors contributing to tumor growth and progression is of paramount importance. Although relationships between psychosocial factors and immunity have been extensively documented, there has been little investigation of relationships between psychosocial factors and cytokines involved in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that enhance tumor growth. These cytokines include Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-12 (IL-12), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). VEGF, one of the key promoters of tumor angiogenesis, is associated with poorer ovarian cancer survival. VEGF is influenced by a variety of cytokines, hormones including cortisol, and by sympathetic activation. We have reported that ovarian cancer patients reporting greater social support had significantly lower serum VEGF pre-surgery, whereas those reporting greater feelings of distress had higher VEGF. Additionally, in an in vitro model, we have observed that stress hormones, such as norepinephrine, induce production of VEGF from an ovarian tumor cell line and that these tumor cells also express beta-adrenergic receptors. These effects are further augmented by cortisol. These novel findings, coupled with known hormonal modulation of other angiogenic cytokines, highlight the possibility that psychosocial factors may directly influence angiogenesis, and thus tumor progression in ovarian cancer. This 5-year prospective longitudinal study will investigate relationships among psychosocial factors and 4 angiogenic cytokines: VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12, among 154 ovarian cancer patients in a clinical setting. We have selected these cytokines because of their critical role in ovarian cancer growth and progression. Measurements of cytokines and psychosocial factors will be taken pre-surgery and at intervals up to 9 months post-surgery; disease progression will be assessed until 18 months post-surgery. The significance of these findings is that they will investigate a novel mechanism by which biobehavioral factors in ovarian cancer patients may contribute to tumor growth and disease progression. Findings will have implications for innovative behavioral and pharmacological intervention strategies for ovarian cancer patients.
Public Health Relevance:
This Public Health Relevance is not available.Thesaurus Terms:
angiogenesis, cytokine, neoplastic process, ovary neoplasm, psychological aspect of cancer, psychoneuroimmunology, stress
interleukin 12, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, neoplasm /cancer blood supply, postoperative state, preoperative state, vascular endothelial growth factor
behavioral /social science research tag, clinical research, female, human subject, patient oriented research
Institution: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IOWA CITY, IA 52242 Fiscal Year: 2005 Department: PSYCHOLOGY Project Start: 30-SEP-2003 Project End: 30-JUN-2008 ICD: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE IRG: BBBP