Depressive Disorder Affects TME and Hormonal Changes Promoting Tumour Deterioration Development
Jingjing Dong1, Juan Du1, Ruyun Liu1
1Department of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yin Chuan, China.
Immunology
|May 9, 2025
Summary
Depression worsens cancer progression by altering the tumor microenvironment through immune, hormonal, and gut flora changes. Antidepressants show potential antitumor activity, offering new therapeutic avenues for cancer patients with depression.
Area of Science:
- Psycho-oncology
- Cancer biology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Depression is common in cancer patients, negatively impacting prognosis.
- The complex bidirectional relationship between depression and tumor progression is not fully understood.
- Current research faces challenges in studying intricate biological systems, brain-tumor axis, and human-specific depression models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which depression influences tumor microenvironment (TME) and promotes cancer progression.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for cancer-associated depression.
- To investigate the potential antitumor activity of antidepressant drugs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on the interplay between depression, neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways in cancer.
- Analysis of how depression affects TME via immunosuppression, hormonal shifts, glutamate signaling, and gut microbiota.
- Evaluation of current research limitations, including animal models and technical challenges in studying the brain-tumor axis.
Main Results:
- Depression promotes tumor progression by inducing immunosuppression, altering hormonal balance, affecting glutamate pathways, and disrupting intestinal flora.
- Antidepressant drugs exhibit potential antitumor effects.
- Combined anticancer and antidepressant therapies may offer synergistic benefits.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the depression-tumor bidirectional relationship provides insights into cancer progression.
- Antidepressants may serve a dual role in treating cancer-associated depression and inhibiting tumor growth.
- This review supports novel, comprehensive treatment strategies in psycho-oncology.
Keywords:
CD4+T cellsCD8+T cellsHPANK cellsNMDARTMEdepressive disorder and tumourstumour‐associated macrophagesMore Related Videos
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