Social isolation is associated with elevated tumor norepinephrine in ovarian carcinoma patients.

TitleSocial isolation is associated with elevated tumor norepinephrine in ovarian carcinoma patients.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsLutgendorf SK, DeGeest K, Dahmoush L, Farley D, Penedo F, Bender D, Goodheart M, Buekers TE, Mendez L, Krueger G, Clevenger L, Lubaroff DM, Sood AK, Cole SW
JournalBrain Behav Immun
Volume25
Issue2
Pagination250-5
Date Published2011 Feb
ISSN1090-2139
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Catecholamines, Depression, Female, Health Behavior, Humans, Middle Aged, Norepinephrine, Ovarian Neoplasms, Social Isolation, Social Support, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress, Psychological, Young Adult
Abstract

Noradrenergic pathways have been implicated in growth and progression of ovarian cancer. Intratumoral norepinephrine (NE) has been shown to increase with stress in an animal cancer model, but little is known regarding how tumor NE varies with disease stage and with biobehavioral factors in ovarian cancer patients. This study examined relationships between pre-surgical measures of social support, depressed mood, perceived stress, anxiety, tumor histology and tumor catecholamine (NE and epinephrine [E]) levels among 68 ovarian cancer patients. We also examined whether associations observed between biobehavioral measures and tumor catecholamines extended to other compartments. Higher NE levels were found in advanced stage (p=0.006) and higher grade (p=0.001) tumors. Adjusting for stage, grade, and peri-surgical beta blockers, patients with a perceived lack of social support had significantly higher tumor NE (β=-0.29, p=0.012). A similar trend was seen for social support and ascites NE (adjusting for stage, peri-surgical beta blockers and caffeine: β=-0.50, p=0.075), but not for plasma NE. Other biobehavioral factors were not related to tumor, ascites, or plasma NE (p values >0.21). Tumor E was undetectable in the majority of tumors and thus E was not further analyzed. In summary, these results suggest that tumor NE provides distinct information from circulating plasma concentrations. Tumor NE levels were elevated in relationship to tumor grade and stage. Low subjective social support was associated with elevated intratumoral NE. As beta-adrenergic signaling is related to key biological pathways involved in tumor growth, these findings may have implications for patient outcomes in ovarian cancer.

DOI10.1016/j.bbi.2010.10.012
Alternate JournalBrain Behav. Immun.
PubMed ID20955777
PubMed Central IDPMC3103818
Grant ListCA104825 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA109298 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA110793 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA116778 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA140933 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA88293 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
P50CA083639 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA104825 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA104825-01 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA104825-02S1 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA109298 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA109298-01A1 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA110793 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA110793-01 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA116778 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA116778-01A2 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA140933 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA140933-01 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R21 CA088293 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R21 CA088293-01 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States