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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
THE CREATIVE PSYCHOSOCIAL GENOMIC HEALING EXPERIENCE (CPGHE) AND GENE EXPRESSION IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: A
Francisco V Muñoz1, Linda Larkey2
1Arizona State University, College of Nursing and Health, Innovation Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Lewis Family, Cancer Care Center.
Background:
Biomarkers associated with inflammation and immune function are increasingly being used to examine mechanisms of the effects of mind-body therapies. Less researched are biomarkers associated with cognitive and executive functioning in the study of mind-body therapy mechanisms and effects. This study explored the feasibility of recruiting breast cancer patients (BCPs) and implementation fidelity of participation in a research project utilizing the 4-stage Creative Psychosocial Genomic Healing Experience (CPGHE), a mind-body protocol that is theorized to create epigenetic effects via targeted psychological change in emotional triggers in coping with cancer.
Methods:
Eight BCPs were identified as eligible (stages I, II, III, early phases of treatment) and five consented to one of two intervention groups (allocated to a single session or two sessions of CPGHE). Blood draws were examined pre- and post- intervention for a stress/inflammation gene expression marker, Nuclear Factor kappa-B (NF-kB), and three markers associated with synaptic plasticity undergirding cognitive and executive functioning: Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1), activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Results:
One consented BCP dropped out due to illness. The remaining four adhered to the 4-stage CPGHE protocol and found the CPGHE experience beneficial. Blood samples for the gene expression results were collected and processed according to planned protocol without incident.
Conclusion:
Implementing the CPGHE and achieving good adherence among a sample of BCPs is feasible. Processing of blood samples collected from BCPs for gene expression data is also feasible.
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