Behavioral stress and tumor progression.

BACKGROUND A number of laboratories have reported a possible link between behavioral stress and cancer progression. Previously published findings demonstrated a stress-induced increase in tumor growth of implanted lymphosarcoma in C3H mice. Here, two mouse models were utilized to investigate whether stress alters the growth of solid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a stress paradigm that involves alternating established stressors for 12 days. FVB mice implanted with melanoma were subjected to this stress protocol. We also attempted to duplicate Riley's finding. RESULTS Our stress paradigm markedly increased serum corticosterone levels and thymus involution. No alteration in the growth of the melanoma tumors was observed. There was also no significant effect on lymphosarcoma progression using either our own or Riley's stress protocol. CONCLUSION Under the conditions used in this study, strong behavioral stress did not influence tumor progression.