title: Depression in cancer: The many biobehavioral pathways driving tumor progression.
abstract: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is common among cancer patients, with prevalence rates up to four-times higher than the general population. Depression confers worse outcomes, including non-adherence to treatment and increased mortality in the oncology setting. Advances in the understanding of neurobiological underpinnings of depression have revealed shared biobehavioral mechanisms may contribute to cancer progression. Moreover, psychosocial stressors in cancer promote: (1) inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress; (2) a decreased immunosurveillance; and (3) a dysfunctional activation of the autonomic nervous system and of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis. Consequently, the prompt recognition of depression among patients with cancer who may benefit of treatment strategies targeting depressive symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances, is a public health priority. Moreover, behavioral strategies aiming at reducing psychological distress and depressive symptoms, including addressing unhealthy diet and life-style choices, as well as physical inactivity and sleep dysfunction, may represent important strategies not only to treat depression, but also to improve wider cancer-related outcomes. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the intertwined biobehavioral pathways linking depression to cancer progression. In addition, the clinical implications of these findings are critically reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health ULSS 10 "Veneto Orientale", Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bortolato
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Hyphantis
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valpione
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perini
authors.affiliation: IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, School of Medicine and Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Revitalis, Waalre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Tir Na Nog, Bryn Road Seaside 87, Llanelli SA152LW, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Gerwyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Science, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubera
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiano A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, and Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia; Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins in the Central Nervous System, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Brisa S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, United Kingdom; Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London Box SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Brendon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pavlidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Electronic address: andrefc7@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: André F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Cancer; HPA axis; Inflammation; Major Depressive Disorder; Psychiatry; Stress