The interplay among psychological distress, the immune system, and brain tumor patient outcomes

A malignant brain tumor diagnosis is often accompanied by intense feelings and can be associated with psychosocial conditions including depression, anxiety, and increased distress levels. Previous work has highlighted the impact of uncontrolled psychological distress among brain tumor patients. Given the negative impact of maladaptive psychosocial and biobehavioral factors on normal immune system functions, the question remains as to how psychological conditions potentially affect the brain tumor patient anti-tumor immune response. Since immunotherapy has yet to show efficacy at increasing malignant glioma patient survival in all randomized, phase Ill clinical trials to-date, this review provides new insights into the potential negative effects of chronic distress on brain tumor patient immune functions and outcomes.