Groundbreaking research led by scientists at Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory in New York has uncovered potential links between chronic stress and the spread of cancer, shedding light on how stress may inadvertently facilitate metastasis. The study, conducted in mice with breast cancer tumors, indicates that stress-induced changes to immune cells, specifically neutrophils forming spider web-like structures called NETs, could create an environment conducive to cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body.
The findings highlight the critical need for stress management following a cancer diagnosis and open avenues for exploring new treatments. Chronic stress has long been associated with various health problems, and while its potential impact on cancer has been suggested, this research delves into the biological changes induced by stress in a cancer context.
In the study, stressed mice exhibited accelerated cancer growth in their lungs compared to control mice. Closer examination revealed that stress hormones influenced the behavior of neutrophils, with the formation of NETs potentially providing a friendly environment for cancer cells to metastasize.
Experiments manipulating neutrophils and NETs in mice further supported the hypothesis, demonstrating that stress no longer acted as an accelerant to cancer growth under these conditions. The research also unveiled that NETs could enhance lung tissue’s susceptibility to cancer, even in mice without cancer.
The authors of the study caution that further validation, especially in humans, is needed to conclusively establish the role of neutrophils and NETs in stress-related cancer spread. Nonetheless, the findings underscore the importance of stress management in cancer treatment and prevention. The researchers suggest that future developments might lead to NET-targeting drugs, offering potential avenues to slow or prevent uncontrolled cancer growth.
Senior study author Mikala Egeblad emphasizes, “Reducing stress should be a component of cancer treatment and prevention.” As this research unfolds, it could pave the way for a more nuanced understanding of the stress-cancer relationship and innovative strategies to support cancer patients in their journey to recovery.
