Systemic and tumor levels of stress hormones in Oral Cancer patients and their association with mood states and survival

Abstract

Catecholamines may regulate serveral biological events resulting from chronic stress. Studies have shown that catecholamines may affect Cancer progression. In a previous studies we have found that increased norepinephrine levels induced cell proliferation and tumor growth in in-vitro and in-vivo Oral Câncer models. However, there is no knowledge regarding the association between catecholamine secretion in Oral Cancer patients and their correlation with mood states and Cancer prognosis. In the presente stydy we will evaluate whether the pre-treatment plasma and tissue norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) and the proinflammatory cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) are associated with mood states in Cancer patients, as well as to analyze their association with Cancer prognosis. The sample will be composed by 120 patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), 80 patients with oral leukoplakia and 80 healthy volunteers. Sociodemographic, biobehavioral and clincopathological information will be collected from the patients' medical records. The mood states before treatment will be investigated by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnarie. Plasma and tissue NE and E levels will be measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection (HPLC-ED). The Multiplex method will be used to evaluate the plasma and tissue IL-6 levels. Specific statistical tests will be used to assess the differences in hormonal levels among the groups and also among different stages of Cancer treatment, in addition to their correlation with mood states. Kaplan-Meier analysis will be performed to evaluate whether pre-treatment catecholamines and IL-6 levels are predictive for survival of oral SCC patients. We hope that the present study will bring new evidences regarding the effects of the stress-related hormones on the Oral Cancer progression and treatment response. (AU)