Biobehavioral Factors & Tumor Microenvironment

Ovarian cancer patients were enrolled in a study completed by Lutgendorf et al. (2008) that examined biobehavioral factors, such as depression and stress, effects on angiogenic cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Covariates included in the study included age, education, martial status, and stage of cancer. Results of the study demonstrate that depressed patients show significant elevations of MMP-9 (mean= 69.89, SD=19.02) compared to those who were not depressed (p= < 0.0001).  Results of the study suggest that the tumor microenvironment of ovarian cancer patients is influenced by stress- related biobehaviroal factors.

Lutgendorf, S. K., Lamkin, D. M., Jennings, N. B., Arevalo, J. M. G., Penedo, F., DeGeest, K., … Sood, A. K. (2008). Biobehavioral influences on matrix metalloproteinase expression in ovarian carcinoma. Clinical Cancer Research : An Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 14(9), 6839–6846. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-0230

The Nervous System & Inflammation

In a review completed by Tracey (2002) the relationship between inflammation and the nervous system is discussed. Inflammation is a protective response in the body that requires precise regulation. Cholinergic neurons can prevent inflammation, which suggests that the nervous system is vital in our immune responses to our environment. The nervous system can gather information from the internal environment and respond by inhibiting systemic cytokines such as TNF, which mediates subsequent cascades of cytokines. The communication between the nervous system and immune response is dynamic, meaning cytokines can be released through the HPA axis.  Additionally, the immune system has the capacity to synthesize neuropeptides such as acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters.

Tracey, K. J. D. a-D. 19-26 D. O.-10. 1038/Nature0132. N. [Pii] D. P.-N. L. M. E. T.-2002/12/20. (2002). The inflammatory reflex. Nature, 420(December), 853–9 ST  – The inflammatory reflex.

Mechanisms of Epigenetics

The mechanisms of epigenetics and cancer are discussed in a review written by Dawson et al. (2012). Advances in technology and the research completed by International Cancer Genome Consortium has resulted in information on protein-coding genes for many cancers, otherwise known as epigenetic information.  Chromatin modifications play a pivotal role in regulating DNA-template information, transcription, repair, and replication.  These dynamic modifications determine accessibility to specific parts of DNA, and provide information for epigenetic regulation. The epigenome displays a dynamic ability to change, which allows for novel therapeutic approaches discussed in this review.

Dawson, M. a, Kouzarides, T., & Huntly, B. J. P. (2012). Targeting epigenetic readers in cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine, 367(7), 647–57. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1112635