The broad goal of this research proposal is to elucidate the basic mechanisms underlying radiation-induced fatigue in patients with localized breast or prostate cancer, focusing on psychological and immunological factors that may contribute to fatigue during and after treatment. Preliminary studies conducted by our group have identified psychological and immune parameters associated with fatigue in breast cancer survivors, including several markers of immune activation. Pilot testing will first be conducted to determine which of these immune parameters are influenced by radiation treatment. The main phase of the study will involve a prospective, longitudinal examination of 150 breast and prostate cancer patients receiving external beam radiation therapy. Subjects will be recruited from the UCLA Radiation Oncology Clinic and will be assessed psychologically and immunologically before treatment onset, at biweekly time points during treatment, and at three longer-term follow-ups.
The specific aims of the study are: 1) to determine whether changes in the immune system induced by radiation therapy are associated with changes in fatigue, 2) to evaluate the role of psychosocial factors as predictors and correlates of radiation-induced fatigue, 3) to evaluate the effects of irradiated site and treatment volume on fatigue, and 4) to identify individuals whose fatigue does not remit following treatment and determine the correlates of acute vs. more enduring fatigue. Information gained from this project will advance our understanding of radiation-induced fatigue, thereby paving the way for the development of interventions to help manage and reduce this problem and improve quality of life for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. The proposed research project will enhance the candidate's existing research skills in health psychology and psychoneuroimmunology and promote the development of new skills necessary for an academic career in cancer prevention and control. Together with a targeted program of didactic instruction, this project will prepare the candidate to become a fully independent behavioral scientist in the field of cancer prevention and control research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Academic/Teacher Award (ATA) (K07)
Project #
5K07CA090407-04
Application #
6706935
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Gorelic, Lester S
Project Start
2001-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-03-01
Budget End
2005-02-28
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$127,170
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
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Pedersen, Eric R; Skidmore, Jessica R; Aresi, Giovanni (2014) Demographic and predeparture factors associated with drinking and alcohol-related consequences for college students completing study abroad experiences. J Am Coll Health 62:244-54
Thomas, Kamala S; Bower, Julienne; Hoyt, Michael A et al. (2010) Disrupted sleep in breast and prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: the role of coping processes. Psychooncology 19:767-76
An, Ruopeng; Sturm, Roland (2010) Datapoints: self-reported unmet need for mental health care after California's parity legislation. Psychiatr Serv 61:861
Bower, Julienne E; Ganz, Patricia A; Tao, May Lin et al. (2009) Inflammatory biomarkers and fatigue during radiation therapy for breast and prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res 15:5534-40
Sepah, Saviz C; Bower, Julienne E (2009) Positive affect and inflammation during radiation treatment for breast and prostate cancer. Brain Behav Immun 23:1068-72
Collado-Hidalgo, Alicia; Bower, Julienne E; Ganz, Patricia A et al. (2008) Cytokine gene polymorphisms and fatigue in breast cancer survivors: early findings. Brain Behav Immun 22:1197-200
Miller, Andrew H; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Bower, Julienne E et al. (2008) Neuroendocrine-immune mechanisms of behavioral comorbidities in patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol 26:971-82
Bower, Julienne E (2007) Cancer-related fatigue: links with inflammation in cancer patients and survivors. Brain Behav Immun 21:863-71
Bower, Julienne E; Ganz, Patricia A; Aziz, Najib et al. (2007) Inflammatory responses to psychological stress in fatigued breast cancer survivors: relationship to glucocorticoids. Brain Behav Immun 21:251-8

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