A study of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) reported in the Aug. 15 issue of Cancer may help explain the biological basis for the link between social support and cancer prognosis. Presurgical levels of VEGF, a cytokine that stimulates tumor angiogenesis, were lower in patients with ovarian cancer who had higher levels of social well-being.
“Growing evidence has indicated that psychological factors, such as stress, depression, and social support, are able to modulate many of the immunologic activities relevant to patients with malignant disease,” write Susan K. Lutgendorf, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Of 24 women with ovarian carcinoma who were recruited at the presurgical clinic visit, those who reported higher levels of social well-being on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Quality of Life survey and the Profile of Mood States had lower levels of VEGF (P=.005).
Specific perceptions linked to lower VEGF levels were greater support from friends and neighbors (P=.005) and less distance from friends (P=.04). Although depression as a whole was not related to VEGF levels, feelings of helplessness (P=.03) or worthlessness (P=.08) predicted higher VEGF levels.
e-Med Tools
קצר קולע וממוקד
e-Med סמינרים
אי-מד תחקירים
Medscape Tools
Journal Club
מרכזי מידע ושירות
Facebook
מידע למפרסם
מאגר תרופות
מאגר אנשי המקצוע
אינדקס שימושי
חדשות משה"ב
eMed HealthClub
מחקרים קליניים
השאירו תגובה
רוצה להצטרף לדיון?תרגישו חופשי לתרום!