A presurgical psychosocial intervention for breast cancer patients. psychological distress and the immune response.
OBJECTIVE
The present study evaluated the feasibility and potential immunological benefit of a presurgical intervention for breast cancer patients.


METHODS
Forty-one newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were randomized into control (standard care) and intervention groups. In addition to standard care, intervention group members received a two-session psychosocial intervention. Blood was drawn at three timepoints: (1) at preintervention; (2) at postintervention/presurgery; and (3) at postsurgery.


RESULTS
Examination of the immunological data revealed evidence of suppression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the control group over time, but not in the intervention group. Secondary findings related to psychological assessment generally paralleled the IFN-gamma results.


CONCLUSIONS
The relevance and applicability of these findings to future breast cancer intervention research is detailed.
Larson
M R
MR
Center for Psychoneuroimmunology Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Mark_Larson@URMC.ROCHESTER.EDU
Duberstein
P R
PR
Talbot
N L
NL
Caldwell
C
C
Moynihan
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007371:Interferon-gamma