Biobehavioral influences on tumor growth and immunity in ovarian cancer

CN05-03

Substantial evidence suggests that psychosocial factors such as stress, depression, and social support are able to modulate many of the immunologic activities relevant to cancer. Other mechanisms by which behavioral factors may influence growth and progression of cancer include angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels in tumors, and a key process in the growth and metastases of most solid tumors. This talk will describe in vitro and clinical research demonstrating links between psychosocial factors and these fundamental processes related to cancer growth and progression. Our findings in ovarian cancer indicate that psychosocial factors such as social support and distress are associated with changes in the cellular immune response and in angiogenic mechanisms in both peripheral blood and in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, stress hormones can enhance angiogenic pathways. These findings extend available understanding of stress influences on the tumor microenvironment and suggest possibilities for innovative therapeutic interventions.