Psycho-neuro-immunological treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with major depression - a single case report

Abstract

A female patient, who was suffering major depression and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma), sought treatment in the Jozuka Mental Clinic. She was treated using a psycho-neuro-immunological approach. The treatments applied were psychotherapy, the antidepressant fluvoxamine, glycyrrhizinic acid and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Biochemical, endocrinological and immunological examinations were performed regularly. Improvement of liver function and reduction of alpha-fetoprotein were observed. The levels of DHEA, natural killer cell activity and cytokines (interleukines IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, interferon IFN-gamma) were normalised. Now, more than two and a half years after her admission, the patient is still well and symptom-free. While this may be a case of spontaneous regression, the results suggest that a psycho-neuro-immunological approach to treating the patient's depression and cancer was helpful for her recovery.

Spontaneous Massive Necrosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Narrowing and Occlusion of the Arteries and Portal Veins

“…IL-18 has been shown to induce interferon gamma production by T cells and natural killer cells, thus potentially producing enhanced cytotoxic activity targeted at cancer cells. Jozuka et al [12] proposed a similar mechanism after detecting elevated levels of natural killer cell activity, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12 and interferon gamma throughout the course of the patient's spontaneous regression.…”

Biological Prediction of Suicidal Behavior in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

“…A previous study revealed that plasma NO levels were dramatically lower in patients with major depressive disorder compared to healthy controls (Chrapko et al 2004). However, another study detected elevated NO levels in patients with major depression compared to patients with anxiety disorder and normal control subjects (Jozuka et al 2003). We found that increased NO production in plasma is associated with suicide attempts in depressed patients (Kim et al 2006).…”

Clinical Study on the Efficacy of Fluvoxamine for Psychological Distress in Gynecologic Cancer Patients

“…Accordingly, we used fluvoxamine in the present clinical study. There have only been 2 reports about the use of fluvoxamine for depression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and pediatric cancer patients, 20,21 with no previous reports about the use of fluvoxamine for gynecologic cancer patients. The present study was conducted in a small number of subjects at a single site, but the results suggest that fluvoxamine is useful for improving psychological distress in gynecologic cancer patients and that a psychological care of these patients is important.…”