28 Mar Predictors of depression in breast cancer patients treated with radiation: Role of prior chemotherapy and nuclear factor kappa B

MedicalResearch.com Interview with Mylin A. Torres, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA 30322

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study? 

Dr. Torres: Radiation treatment for breast cancer is not associated with increased depressive symptoms, but of disease and treatment-related factors, prior chemotherapy treatment is a significant predictor of depression before and after radiation treatment.  Prior chemotherapy treatment was associated with inflammatory mediators, including nuclear factor-kappa B DNA binding, soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor 2, and interleukin-6, which predicted for depressive symptoms after radiation on univariate analysis.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected? 

Dr. Torres: It was surprising to find that radiation had no significant effect on depressive symptoms or fatigue.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report? 

Dr. Torres: Breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at higher risk for developing depression and fatigue during and after treatment.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Torres: Longitudinal studies are warranted to investigate the relationship among prior chemotherapy, inflammation, and persistent depression after breast cancer treatment.

Citation:

Predictors of depression in breast cancer patients treated with radiation: Role of prior chemotherapy and nuclear factor kappa B

Torres MA, Pace TW, Liu T, Felger JC, Mister D, Doho GH,
Kohn JN, Barsevick AM,
Long Q, Miller AH.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Cancer. 2013 Mar 19. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28003.
[Epub ahead of print]

Last Updated on March 28, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD