title: Health-related quality of life and biomarkers in breast cancer survivors participating in tai chi chuan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer survivors experience diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We report on the influence of tai chi chuan exercise (TCC) on HRQOL and explore associations between changes in HRQOL and biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast cancer survivors (N = 21) were randomly assigned to TCC or standard support therapy (SST) for 12 weeks (three times/week; 60 min/session). Interleukin-6, interleukin-8 (IL-8), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IBFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, glucose, insulin, and cortisol were measured pre- and postintervention. Overall HRQOL and subdomains were assessed at preintervention (T1), midintervention (T2) and postintervention (T3) and biomarkers at T1 and T3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TCC group improved in total HRQOL (T1-T2:CS = 8.54, P = 0.045), physical functioning (T1-T2:CS = 1.89, P = 0.030), physical role limitations (T1-T2 CS = 1.55, P = 0.023), social functioning (T1-T3:CS = 1.50, P = 0.020), and general mental health (T1-T2:CS = 2.67, P = 0.014; T1-T3:CS = 2.44, P = 0.019). The SST improved in social functioning (T1-T2:CS = 0.64, P = 0.043) and vitality (T1-T2:CS = 0.90, P = 0.01). There were relationships between changes in IGF-1 and overall HRQOL (r = -0.56; P < 0.05), physical role limitation (r = -0.68; P < 0.05), and social functioning (r = -0.56; P < 0.05). IGFBP-1 changes were associated with physical role limitations changes (r = 0.60; P < 0.05). IGFBP-3 changes were associated with physical functioning changes (r = 0.46; P ≤ 0.05). Cortisol changes were associated with changes in physical role limitations (r = 0.74; P < 0.05) and health perceptions (r = 0.46; P < 0.05). Glucose changes were associated with emotional role limitation changes (r = -0.70; P < 0.001). IL-8 changes were associated with emotional role limitation changes (r = 0.59; P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCC may improve HRQOL by regulating inflammatory responses and other biomarkers associated with side effects from cancer and its treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCC may be an intervention capable of improving HRQOL in breast cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. lisa_sprod@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Sprod
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Janelsins
authors.forename: Oxana G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Palesh
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Heckler
authors.forename: Luke J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Peppone
authors.forename: Supriya G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Mohile
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mustian
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D026302:Tai Ji
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor