title: Epigenetic regulation in biopsychosocial pathways.
abstract: Theory and empirical evidence suggest that psychological stress and other adverse psychosocial experiences can contribute to cancer progression. Research has begun to explore the potential role of epigenetic changes in these pathways. In basic, animal and human models, exposure to stressors or to the products of the physiological stress response (e.g., cortisol) has been associated with epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and microRNA (miR) expression, which may influence tumor growth, progression, metastasis, or chemoresistance. However, the specific biological pathways linking stress, epigenetic changes, and cancer outcomes remain unclear. Numerous opportunities exist to extend the preliminary evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the biopsychosocial pathways contributing to cancer progression. Such work will improve our understanding of how the psychosocial environment influences cancer risk and survival, potentially leading to improved prevention and treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC 9761, Rm 3E-620, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9761, USA, Kristin.litzelman@mail.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Litzelman
authors.forename: Mukesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics