Depressive symptoms and cortisol rhythmicity predict survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma: role of inflammatory signaling.

TitleDepressive symptoms and cortisol rhythmicity predict survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma: role of inflammatory signaling.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsCohen L, Cole SW, Sood AK, Prinsloo S, Kirschbaum C, Arevalo JMG, Jennings NB, Scott S, Vence L, Wei Q, Kentor D, Radvanyi L, Tannir N, Jonasch E, Tamboli P, Pisters L
JournalPLoS One
Volume7
Issue8
Paginatione42324
Date Published2012
ISSN1932-6203
KeywordsAged, Carcinoma, Renal Cell, Depression, Disease-Free Survival, Female, Gene Expression Profiling, Genome, Human, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Inflammation, Kidney Neoplasms, Male, Middle Aged, Signal Transduction, Survival Rate, Transcription, Genetic
Abstract

PURPOSE: Evidence has supported the association between psychological factors and cancer biology; however, findings are equivocal on the role of psychosocial factors in cancer progression. This study generates a hypothesis of mechanistic variables by examining the clinical effects of psychosocial factors and cortisol dysregulation in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and examines associated activation of transcription control pathways.

METHODS: Patients with metastatic RCC (n = 217) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients completed questionnaires (Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression; SF-36 Health Status Survey; Duke Social Support Index; Coping Operations Preference Enquiry; organized and non-organized religious activity; and intrinsic religiosity), and provided blood and saliva samples. Cortisol levels and whole genome transcriptional profiling were assessed to identify potential alterations in circadian rhythms and genomic pathways.

RESULTS: Separate Cox regression models, controlling for disease risk category, revealed that CES-D scores (p = 0.05, HR = 1.5, 95% CI for HR: 1.00-2.23) and cortisol slope (p = 0.002; HR = 1.9; 95%CI for HR: 1.27-2.97) were significantly associated with decreased survival. Only cortisol slope and risk category remained significant in the complete model. Functional genomic analyses linked depressive symptoms to increased expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-metastatic genes in circulating leukocytes. 116 transcripts were found to be upregulated by an average of 50% or more in high CES-D patients, and 57 transcripts downregulated by at least 50%. These changes were also found in the tumor in a subset of patients.

CONCLUSION: These findings identify depressive symptoms as a key predictor of survival in renal cell carcinoma patients with potential links to dysregulation of cortisol and inflammatory biology.

DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0042324
Alternate JournalPLoS ONE
PubMed ID22870317
PubMed Central IDPMC3409855
Grant ListCA109298 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA110793 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA116778 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA16672 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
P30 CA016672 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States