2024-04-21 21:41:03
A study shows that hormones produced during chronic stress create an inflammatory microclimate that promotes the spread of tumors in the form of metastases.
The link between psychological stress caused by tragic life events and the risk of cancer has been the subject of a large number of studies. For example, much attention has been paid to the possible increase in breast cancer among women who have experienced acute trauma (death of a child or spouse), without being able to establish a clear link, however, between the stress that creates these tragic events and the increased risk of developing this cancer.
In the current state of knowledge, it therefore appears that psychological factors contribute to the development of cancer very weakly or not at all, and certainly much less than other aspects of lifestyle (overweight, smoking, poor alcohol use, physical). inactivity or poor diet).
Stress and metastases
However, the situation is much clearer regarding the existing link between stress and cancer progression: some studies show that stress is associated with certain unfavorable psychological factors (anxiety, chronic depression, social isolation). progress in the form of metastases and reduced survival (1).
This negative impact of stress should be taken very seriously, as cancer patients often experience significant levels of stress during their diagnosis and treatment. This stress comes from a combination of trauma resulting from treatments, both physical (especially surgery and chemotherapy) and emotional (fear of tumor recurrence).
Biochemically, the response to chronic stress involves continuous activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and abnormally high production of glucocorticoids (eg cortisol) by the adrenals.
This disruption has numerous consequences, especially from a metabolic and immune point of view, so the stress observed in the studies can lead to an acceleration of the formation of metastases due to modifications in the tumor microenvironment that favor their progression ahead.
Immune traps
Biochemical study allows us to better understand the processes that link stress and the formation of metastases (2).
In this study, the researchers looked at the possible role of neutrophils, a population of cells in the innate immune system that plays an important role in defense against pathogens.
These cells have the specialty of forming filamentous networks called NETs (for Neutrophil Extracellular Traps) which literally act as traps to catch pathogenic microbes and facilitate their destruction, a bit like fishing nets, but on a molecular scale.
It appears that these pathogenic nets may also function as a propagation network for tumors, which spread in the form of metastases. Researchers have indeed observed that glucocorticoids released during chronic stress contribute to the formation of NETs in organs such as the lungs, creating an inflammatory and immune microclimate favorable for the implantation of metastases from primary tumors in other organs.
Overall, this study confirms that stress reduction should be an integral part of the treatment of cancer patients.
Studies show that lifestyle modifications such as physical exercise or activities such as yoga as well as psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy or meditation can help manage stress better and stay healthier in the face of illness.
♦ (1) Lutgendorf SK et coll. Host factors and cancer progression: biobehavioral signaling pathways and interventions. J. Clin. Oncol. 2010; 28: 4094-9.
♦ (2) Six XY et coll. Chronic stress increases metastasis through neutrophil-mediated changes in the microenvironment. Cell Cancer 2024; 42: 474-486.e12.
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