Psychogenic carcinogenesis: carcinogenesis is without exogenic carcinogens

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Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate (DMBA-TPA)
04:12

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate (DMBA-TPA)

Published on: December 19, 2019

Oleg Viktorovich Bukhtoyarov1, Denis Mikhaylovich Samarin

  • 1Center for Psychoimmunology, 30A-7, S.Razina ul., 236000 Kaliningrad, Russian Federation. bukhtoyarov@mail.ru

Medical Hypotheses
|July 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Chronic psycho-emotional stress can trigger cancer development by damaging DNA and weakening the immune system, suggesting a new focus on psychogenic carcinogenesis. This highlights the need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies beyond traditional cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Psychoneuroimmunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Despite advances in cancer treatment, carcinogenesis remains poorly controlled, with unfavorable global outcomes.
  • Chronic psycho-emotional stress is increasingly recognized for its role in cellular damage and immune suppression.
  • Stress hormones and endogenous mutagens can directly harm DNA, activating key cancer-driving mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the concept of psychogenic carcinogenesis, where stress acts as a primary or contributing factor in cancer development.
  • To propose that traditional cancer therapies may be insufficient for psychogenically induced cancers.
  • To advocate for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting stress-related carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research on stress, DNA damage, immune function, and carcinogenesis.
  • Hypothetical modeling of psychogenic carcinogenesis pathways.
  • Analysis of the limitations of current cancer treatments in the context of stress-induced carcinogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Chronic psycho-emotional stress can initiate and potentiate carcinogenesis through molecular and genetic pathways.
  • Psychogenic carcinogenesis may occur independently or synergistically with known carcinogens.
  • Current cancer therapies may not adequately address the underlying psychogenic factors in certain cancer patients.

Conclusions:

  • The hypothesis of psychogenic carcinogenesis expands our understanding of tumor pathogenesis.
  • New diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies are needed for patients with stress-induced cancers.
  • A holistic approach integrating psychogenic factors is crucial for effective cancer management and prevention.

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