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Review
. 2013 Mar;30 Suppl(0):S1-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.01.003. Epub 2013 Jan 16.

Psychoneuroimmunology and cancer: a decade of discovery, paradigm shifts, and methodological innovations

Paige Green McDonald  1 , Mary O'Connell, Susan K Lutgendorf
Affiliations
Review

Psychoneuroimmunology and cancer: a decade of discovery, paradigm shifts, and methodological innovations

Paige Green McDonald et al. Brain Behav Immun. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

This article introduces the supplement Advances in Cancer and Brain, Behavior, and Immunity and outlines important discoveries, paradigm shifts, and methodological innovations that have emerged in the past decade to advance mechanistic and translational understanding of biobehavioral influences on tumor biology, cancer treatment-related sequelae, and cancer outcomes. We offer a heuristic framework for research on biobehavioral pathways in cancer. The shifting survivorship landscape is highlighted, and we propose that the changing demographics suggest prudent adoption of a life course perspective of cancer and cancer survivorship. We note opportunities for psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) research to ameliorate the long-term, unintended consequences of aggressive curative intent and call attention to the critical role of reciprocal translational pathways between animal and human studies. Lastly, we briefly summarize the articles included in this compilation and offer our perspectives on future research directions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement: All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure
Figure
Heuristic framework for research on biobehavioral risk factor influences on clinical cancer course.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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