Cancer pain, a serious threat to patientsmemory / 生理学报

A large number of cancer patients suffer from pain. Growing evidence suggested that pain might be a serious risk factor for cancer patients. The shared modulators and modulation pathways between neural system and tumor cells, such as various neurotransmitters and neurogenic cytokines, provide essential basis for the effect of pain on tumor. In this article, we reviewed some possible mechanism of this process from two aspects: the systematic regulation of central nervous system on endocrine and immunity, and the regional regulation of peripheral nerves on tumor cells. The aim of this review is to provide more innovative knowledge about pain and cancer and to emphasize the importance of anti-pain in the therapy of cancer.

Norepinephrine increases risk of breast cancer in depressed women / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effects of depression on tumors, as well as its molecular mechanisms. Methods The chronic unpredictable mild stress model (CUMS) was constructed. Tumor was inoculated after behavioral test, and the differences in serum norepinephrine and tumor volume between groups were detected. Breast cancer cells were stimulated by administration and invasion, migration, proliferation and cell cycle distribution were detected. Western blot and immunofluorescence were utilized to detect cell surface receptors and intracellular signaling pathways. Results Depression up-regulated the level of norepinephrine (N E) and increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, resulting in increased malignancy of breast cancer cells. Conclusions Depression may increase the malignancy of breast cancer through norepinephrine-induced p38 MAPK signaling pathway, thus increasing the malignant degree of breast cancer.