Associations between psychosocial factors and circulating cytokines in breast cancer survivors

Objective Research has established links between social isolation and heightened levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha]). Recent advances allow for the examination of cytokines that may also play a role in antiviral immunity (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]). The present work explored how various features of social experience relate to circulating cytokines in breast cancer survivors, as inflammation has been tied to cancer recurrence and mortality. Design Female breast cancer survivors (N = 43) completed a blood draw to assess circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) and levels of a cytokine that also relates to antiviral immunity (IFN-gamma). Main Outcome Measures We examined associations between cytokines and different aspects of social experience, including household size, psychosocial well-being, and social threat anxiety. Results Circulating levels of IFN-gamma were associated with larger household size (r = 0.32, p = 0.04) and higher levels of psychosocial well-being (r = 0.33, p = 0.04). Additionally, heightened levels of IL-6 were associated with social threat anxiety (r = 0.38, p = 0.01). Heightened IL-6 was also associated with household size (r = 0.33, p = 0.03). Conclusion These findings are consistent with work suggesting that antiviral immunity and inflammation may have distinct contributions to the links between social experience and health, particularly for those previously diagnosed with breast cancer.