Relationship between Locus of Control Belief and IL-6 in Breast Cancer Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Immunology Division, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt

2 Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt

3 Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

4 Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Recent studies indicated to the immune disturbances in cancer patients in comparison with healthy individuals. Several studies suggested that individuals with external locus of control (E-LOC) have more symptoms of depression. Other studies indicated to the effective role of psychological status on the immune system. The association between E-LOC and immunity in cancer patients it is not clear. Study the relation between Rotter internal-external locus of control (I-E LOC) and God health locus of control (GHLC) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in breast cancer patients. The study included hundred breast cancer patients and fifty healthy controls. Patients and participators responded to I-E LOC and GHLC questionnaires. Peripheral blood samples were collected to measure gene expression of IL-6 by using real time PCR. Breast cancer patients showed higher GHLC which was associated with higher level of IL-6 as compared to control subjects. By contrast, a significant inverse correlation between GHLC and IL-6 was found. However, there was no relationship between I-E LOC and IL-6. The results suggest no significant effect of LOC belief according to life on immune response against cancer, but high GHLC belief correlate with decreased IL-6. Further studies on the relations between other types of LOC and immune response in breast cancer is recommended.

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