TY - JOUR
T1 - TNF-α levels in cancer patients relate to social variables
AU - Marucha, Phillip T.
AU - Crespin, Timothy R.
AU - Shelby, Rebecca A.
AU - Andersen, Barbara L.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was funded in part by the National Cancer Institute (K05 CA098133, R01 CA92704 and U01 CA77658); the Longaberger Company—American Cancer Society Grant for Breast Cancer Research (PBR-89A); the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Core Grant from the National Cancer Institute (P30 CA16058); the General Clinical Research Center (MO1-RR0034); the American Cancer Society (RSGPB-03-248-01-PBP and PBR-89); the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH51487); and the US Army Medical Research and Development Command (DAMD17-96-1-6294 and DAMD17-97-1-7062). Thanks to Project Coordinator Laura Peterson and the research staff of the Stress Immunity Cancer Projects for conducting the assessments, and to Christine Daugherty for performing the assays.
PY - 2005/11
Y1 - 2005/11
N2 - Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important cytokine associated with tumor regression and increased survival time for cancer patients. Research evidence relates immune factors (e.g., natural killer (NK) cell counts, NK cell lysis, lymphocyte profile, and lymphocyte proliferation) to the frequency and quality of social relations among cancer patients. We hypothesized that disruptions in social relations would be associated with lower TNF-α responses, and conversely, that reports of positive changes in social relations correlate with stronger responses. A prospective design measured changes in social activity and relationship satisfaction with a partner in 44 breast cancer patients at the time of cancer diagnosis, and initial surgery and 12 months later. Results indicated that patients reporting increased social activities or satisfaction exhibited stronger stimulated TNF-α responses. This is the first study to link changes in patient social relations with a cancer-relevant immune variable.
AB - Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important cytokine associated with tumor regression and increased survival time for cancer patients. Research evidence relates immune factors (e.g., natural killer (NK) cell counts, NK cell lysis, lymphocyte profile, and lymphocyte proliferation) to the frequency and quality of social relations among cancer patients. We hypothesized that disruptions in social relations would be associated with lower TNF-α responses, and conversely, that reports of positive changes in social relations correlate with stronger responses. A prospective design measured changes in social activity and relationship satisfaction with a partner in 44 breast cancer patients at the time of cancer diagnosis, and initial surgery and 12 months later. Results indicated that patients reporting increased social activities or satisfaction exhibited stronger stimulated TNF-α responses. This is the first study to link changes in patient social relations with a cancer-relevant immune variable.
KW - Dyadic adjustment
KW - Psychoneuroimmunology
KW - Social adjustment
KW - Social support
KW - Tumor necrosis factor
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bbi.2005.03.014
DO - 10.1016/j.bbi.2005.03.014
M3 - Article
C2 - 15890493
AN - SCOPUS:26044437912
SN - 0889-1591
VL - 19
SP - 521
EP - 525
JO - Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
JF - Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
IS - 6
ER -