Evaluation of the Influence of Biological Factors during the Course of Treatment in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of β-endorphins and serotonin on the course of treatment, disease-free time, and overall survival of patients with ovarian cancer. This study may contribute to the identification of modifiable factors that may influence the treatment of ovarian cancer. The research was carried out in a group of 162 patients of which 139 respondents were included in the research; ovarian cancer was diagnosed in 78 of these patients. The study consisted of three stages. In the first stage of diagnostics, a survey among the patients was carried out. In the second stage—5 mL of blood was collected from each patient (n = 139) in the preoperative period to determine the concentration of β-endorphin and serotonin. In the third stage—blood samples were collected from those patients who had completed chemotherapy treatment or had surgery. Concentrations of β-endorphin and serotonin were measured by the Luminex method, using the commercial Luminex Human Discovery Assay kit. The average age of the patients was 62.99 years. The level of β-endorphin significantly differs among patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer and among patients in the control group (202.86; SD—15.78 vs. 302.00; SD—24.49). A lower level of β-endorphins was found in the patients with a recurrence of the neoplastic process compared to those without recurrence (178.84; SD—12.98 vs. 205.66; SD—13.37). On the other hand, the level of serotonin before chemotherapy was higher in the group of people with disease recurrence compared to those without recurrence (141.53; SD—15.33 vs. 134.99; SD—10.08). Statistically significantly positive correlations were found between the level of β-endorphin and both disease-free time (β-endorphin levels before chemotherapy: rho Spearman 0.379, p < 0.027; β-endorphin levels after chemotherapy: rho Spearman 0.734 p < 0.001) and survival time (β-endorphin levels before chemotherapy: rho Spearman 0.267, p < 0.018; β-endorphin levels after chemotherapy: rho Spearman 0.654 p < 0.001). 1. The levels of serotonin and β-endorphin levels are significantly related to ovarian cancer and change during treatment. 2. High mean preoperative concentrations of β-endorphins were significantly related to overall survival and disease-free time.

Involvement of the Opioid Peptide Family in Cancer Progression

“…This topic must also be developed, and the published promising data confirmed: an increased risk for developing breast cancer has been associated with a low plasma level of pro-enkephalin [146]; beta-END immunoreactivity was lower in benign melanocytic naevi than in metastatic and advanced melanomas [232], and a positive correlation between plasma beta-END levels and survival time/disease-free time has been suggested in patients with ovarian cancer: lower beta-END concentrations were observed in patients with recurrence than in those without recurrence [248]. MET improved survival/clinical symptoms in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer [252]; high MET plasma levels in patients with pancreatic cancer have been reported [253]; zeta-opioid receptors are more expressed in prostate cancer tissues than in normal ones, and this expression was high in aggressive and undifferentiated prostate cancer tissues [272].…”

“…A positive correlation has been reported between survival time/disease-free time and plasma beta-END level in patients with ovarian cancer [248]. Lower beta-END concentrations were observed in patients with recurrence than those without recurrence [248]. Moreover, beta-END and MET blocked the proliferation of human ovarian KF cancer cells; this effect was counteracted with naloxone, and it seems that both peptides blocked protein/RNA synthesis but not DNA synthesis [249].…”

“…Beta-END has been observed in ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors [247] and ovarian carcinoids [244]. A positive correlation has been reported between survival time/disease-free time and plasma beta-END level in patients with ovarian cancer [248]. Lower beta-END concentrations were observed in patients with recurrence than those without recurrence [248].…”

Psychological Associations of Stress with the Level of Health Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

“…Patients with ovarian cancer are at constant risk of experiencing negative emotional states, anxiety and depression. Chronic stress may contribute to biological responses leading to the process of carcinogenesis [5]. In patients diagnosed with cancer, anxiety is related to cancer progression indicated as one of the main factors causing anxiety symptoms [6].…”