The interplay among psychological distress, the immune system, and brain tumor patient outcomes. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Otto-Meyer, Sebastian; Lumibao, Jan; Kim, Eugene; Ladomersky, Erik; Zhai, Lijie; Lauing, Kristen L; Scholtens, Denise M; Penedo, Frank; Amidei, Christina; Lukas, Rimas V; Wainwright, Derek A
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in behavioral sciences. Volume 28(2019)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1546

Abstract

Highlights: Depression and psychological distress are prevalent in patients with brain tumors. Chronic distress leads to increased adrenergic signaling and immunosuppression. Adrenergic signaling and immunotherapy failure are unexplored in brain tumors. Increased distress is associated with poor brain cancer patient outcomes. New methods to identify and treat distress are being developed. Abstract : A malignant brain tumor diagnosis is often accompanied by intense feelings and can be associated with psychosocial conditions including depression, anxiety, and increased distress levels. Previous work has highlighted the impact of uncontrolled psychological distress among brain tumor patients. Given the negative impact of maladaptive psychosocial and biobehavioral factors on normal immune system functions, the question remains as to how psychological conditions potentially affect the brain tumor patient anti-tumor immune response. Since immunotherapy has yet to show efficacy at increasing malignant glioma patient survival in all randomized, phase III clinical trials to-date, this review provides new insights into the potential negative effects of chronic distress on brain tumor patient immune functions and outcomes.