(02-01-07) More Evidence Stress and Cancer are Linked

Norepinephrine, a hormone produced during periods of stress, may increase
the growth rate of cancer.

The norepinephrine can stimulate tumor cells to produce two compounds
(matrix metalloproteinases called MMP-2 and MMP-9) that break down the
tissue around the tumor cells and allow the cells to more easily move into
the bloodstream.

Once there, they can travel to other organs and tissues and form
additional tumors, a process called metastasis.

Norepinephrine may also stimulate the tumor cells to release a chemical
(vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF) that can aid in the growth
of the blood vessels that feed cancer cells. This can increase the growth
and spread of the cancer.

Researchers traced the harmful effect of norepinephrine after applying it
to cancer cell lines used to study nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), an
incurable head and neck cancer associated most frequently with those of
Chinese descent.

Source: Cancer Research
Science Daily

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