Mechanisms of Radiation Induced Fatigue in Cancer

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究提案的广泛目标 目的是阐明辐射诱发疲劳的基本机制， 局部乳腺癌或前列腺癌患者，重点关注心理 和免疫因素，可能有助于疲劳期间和之后， 治疗 我们小组进行的初步研究发现， 与乳腺癌患者疲劳相关的心理和免疫参数 幸存者，包括免疫激活的几个标志物。 试点测试将 首先进行，以确定这些免疫参数中的哪些是 受辐射治疗的影响。 研究的主要阶段将包括 150例乳腺癌和前列腺癌的前瞻性纵向检查 接受体外放射治疗的患者。 受试者将 从加州大学洛杉矶分校放射肿瘤诊所招募，并将进行评估 在治疗开始前，每两周一次进行心理和免疫检查 治疗期间和三个长期随访时的时间点。 具体 该研究的目的是：1）确定免疫系统的变化是否 放射治疗引起的与疲劳的变化有关，2） 评估心理社会因素作为预测因素和相关因素的作用， 3）评价辐照部位的影响， 疲劳的治疗量，以及4）识别疲劳的个体， 治疗后未缓解，并确定急性与更多 忍受疲劳。 从这个项目中获得的信息将促进我们的 了解辐射引起的疲劳，从而为 制定干预措施，帮助管理和减少这一问题， 改善接受放射治疗癌症患者的生活质量。 拟议的研究项目将加强候选人现有的研究 健康心理学和心理神经免疫学的技能，并促进 发展癌症学术生涯所需的新技能 防治的攻坚 与有针对性的教学计划一起， 指导，这个项目将准备候选人成为一个完全 癌症预防和控制领域的独立行为科学家 research.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 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.