Neuere Ergebnisse der Psychoneuroimmunologie (PNI) zum Verlauf von Krebserkrankungen

Subtitle: Psychoneuroimmunology and course of malignant disease – recent results

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hefner, Jochen | Csef, Herbert

Affiliations: Arbeitsbereich Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, (Direktor Professor Dr. H. Einsele), Klinikstraße 6–8, 97070 Würzburg. Tel.: 0931 201 70220, Fax: 0931 201 70730, E-mail: hefner_j@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de, csef_h@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de

Abstract: Recent psychoneuroimmunlogical studies inspire the discussion about the influence of mental strain on the course of cancer. Adverse effects are documented for solid and hematological tumors. The underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. Most studies investigated natural killer cells as most relevant immunological factors. But inconsistent results have led the focus towards direct neurohumoral mechanisms. Similar to basic oncological research, interactions with the tumor microenvironment are being examined. Current results permit only speculations about the interacting mechanisms. Further research would be of extraordinary significance for oncology because of shared pathophysiology.

Keywords: Psychoneuroimmunology, mental strain and course of cancer, cellular immunity, neurohumoral interactions, microenvironment

Journal: Zeitschrift für Medizinische Psychologie, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 149-157, 2007