Circulating catecholamines are associated with biobehavioral factors and anxiety symptoms in head and neck cancer patients

Author(s)

Bastos, Daniela B. ^{[1, 2]} ; Sarafim-Silva, Bruna A. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Sundefeld, Maria Lucia M. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Ribeiro, Amanda A. ^[3] ; Brandao, Juliana D. P. ^[3] ; Biasoli, Eder R. ^{[1, 2]} ; Miyahara, I, Glauco ; Casarini, Dulce E. ^[3] ; Bernabe, Daniel G. ^{[4, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Psychosomat Res Ctr, Sch Dent, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Oral Oncol Ctr, Sch Dent, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Nephrol Div, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Miyahara, Glauco, I, Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Psychosomat Res Ctr, Sch Dent, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil

^[5] Miyahara, Glauco, I, Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Oral Oncol Ctr, Sch Dent, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 13, n. 8 AUG 20 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Studies have shown that stress-related catecholamines may affect cancer progression. However, little is known about catecholamine secretion profiles in head and neck cancer patients. The present study investigated plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and patients with oral leukoplakia, as well as their association with clinicopathological and biobehavioral variables and anxiety symptoms. A total of 93 patients with HNSCC and 32 patients with oral leukoplakia were included. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED), and psychological anxiety levels were measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations were significantly higher in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to non-cancer patients. Oral SCC patients displayed plasma norepinephrine levels about six times higher than oropharyngeal SCC patients, and nine times higher than oral leukoplakia patients (p <.001). Plasma epinephrine levels in oral SCC patients were higher compared to the oropharyngeal SCC (p =.0097) and leukoplakia (p <.0001) patients. Oropharyngeal SCC patients had higher plasma norepinephrine (p =.0382) and epinephrine levels (p =.045) than patients with oral leukoplakia. Multiple regression analyses showed that a history of high alcohol consumption was predictive for reduced plasma norepinephrine levels in the oral SCC group (p <.001). Anxiety symptom of ``hand tremor{''} measured by the BAI was an independent predictor for higher plasma norepinephrine levels in HNSCC patients (beta = 157.5, p =.0377), while the ``heart pounding/racing{''} symptom was independently associated with higher plasma epinephrine levels in the oropharyngeal SCC group (beta = 15.8, p =.0441). In oral leukoplakia patients, sleep deprivation and worse sleep quality were independent predictors for higher plasma norepinephrine levels, while severe tobacco consumption and higher anxiety levels were factors for higher plasma epinephrine levels. These findings suggest that head and neck cancer patients display sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, and that changes in circulating catecholamines may be associated with alcohol consumption, as well as withdrawal-related anxiety symptoms. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/25255-0 - Effects of stress and stress-related mediators on the carcinogenesis and head neck cancer progression
• Grantee: Daniel Galera Bernabé
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/12485-4 - Plasma catecholamines levels in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients: correlation to anxiety symptons and its influence on the disease prognosis
• Grantee: Daniela Brito Bastos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/51904-9 - Renin angiotensin and kallikrein kinin systems in hypertension, obesity, diabetes, desnutrition and sepsis: molecular, cellular and physiopathologic mechanisms
• Grantee: Dulce Elena Casarini
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants