Positive affect and inflammation during radiation treatment for breast and prostate cancer

Brain Behav Immun. 2009 Nov;23(8):1068-72. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2009.06.149. Epub 2009 Jun 25.

Abstract

There is growing evidence that positive affect may influence health and immune function, although few studies have examined links between positive affect and immune processes in clinical populations. The purpose of this study was to examine whether positive affect is associated with changes in proinflammatory cytokines in cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. Subjects were 50 individuals with early-stage breast and prostate cancer who completed psychosocial questionnaires and provided blood samples at seven time points before, during, and after radiation treatment. Positive affect was assessed before treatment onset using the CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale). Blood samples were assayed for serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6. Patients with higher levels of positive affect before treatment exhibited higher mean levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 during radiation treatment (all ps<.05). Results suggest that positive affect enhances the acute inflammatory response to radiation treatment, perhaps facilitating tissue repair processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay
  • Inflammation / blood*
  • Inflammation / psychology
  • Inflammation / radiotherapy
  • Interleukin-1beta / blood*
  • Interleukin-1beta / radiation effects
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Interleukin-6 / radiation effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6