Journal article
Vascular endothelial growth factor and social support in patients with ovarian carcinoma
Cancer, Vol.95(4), pp.808-815
2002
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.10739
PMID: 12209725
Abstract
Background: The modulation of immunologic activities relevant to cancer by behavioral factors, such as stress, depression, and social support, is well documented. However, associations of behavioral factors with cytokines involved in tumor angiogenesis have not been studied. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key cytokine that is capable of stimulating tumor angiogenesis, and it has been associated with poorer survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma. VEGF is modulated by a variety of behaviorally sensitive factors, including sympathetic activation. This study examined relationships of social support and depressive symptoms with VEGF levels in preoperative patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Methods: Twenty-four women with ovarian carcinoma and 5 women with benign pelvic masses were recruited at the presurgical clinic visit, received psychosocial surveys, including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (Quality of Life) survey and the Profile of Mood States, and a blood draw. Serum VEGF levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analyses controlled for disease stage.
Results: Women with ovarian carcinoma who reported higher levels of social well being had lower levels of VEGF (P = 0.005). Greater support from friends and neighbors (P = 0.005) and less distance from friends (P = 0.04) were facets of social well being that were associated with lower VEGF levels. Individuals who reported greater helplessness (P = 0.03) or worthlessness (P = 0.08) had higher VEGF levels, but depression as a whole (P > 0.50) was not related to VEGF levels.
Conclusions: Higher levels of social well being were correlated with lower VEGF levels in presurgical patients with ovarian carcinoma. These findings suggest a possible mechanism by which poor social support may be associated with disease progression. Further study of these relations may demonstrate novel pathways relating biobehavioral factors to tumor growth and disease progression.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Vascular endothelial growth factor and social support in patients with ovarian carcinoma
- Creators
- Susan K LUTGENDORF - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesErica L JOHNSEN - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesBrian COOPER - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesBarrie ANDERSON - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesJoel I SOROSKY - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesRichard E BULLER - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesAnil K SOOD - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer, Vol.95(4), pp.808-815
- DOI
- 10.1002/cncr.10739
- PMID
- 12209725
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancer
- ISSN
- 0008-543X
- eISSN
- 1097-0142
- Publisher
- Wiley-Liss; New York, NY
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2002
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Urology
- Record Identifier
- 9984065775802771
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