| An innovative study by US medical researchers at | | | | (IBMR), and Ronald Glaser, a professor of molecular |
| the Ohio State University (OSU) has revealed that | | | | virology, immunology and medical genetics observed |
| stress amplifies the progression of malignant | | | | effects of stress hormone, norepinephrine on three |
| melanoma, a particular form of skin cancer. Malignant | | | | different types of proteins released by melanoma |
| melanoma is one of the most deadly forms of skin | | | | cells -1) Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); 2) |
| cancer that is becoming increasingly common | | | | Interleukin-6 and; 3) Interleukin-8 all proteins active in |
| worldwide. | | | | growth of tumors. |
| After two years of research, medical researchers | | | | The three malignant tumor cells lines, i.e. VEGF, |
| came to a conclusion that there is a link between | | | | intereleukin-6 and interleukin-8, were introduced to |
| stress hormones and cancer. The stress hormone, | | | | the norepinephrine and all the three showed increase |
| norepinephrine also known as "flight or fight" | | | | in levels expressed, particularly in the most advanced |
| hormone, produces enzyme that stimulates blood | | | | line which showed a 2000 percent increase in levels |
| vessels to grow in melanoma tumors, accelerating | | | | of interleukin-6 thus establishing the fact that stress |
| the progression and spread of tumors, the | | | | has worse effect on aggressive and advanced stage |
| researchers explained. These findings were published | | | | malignant melanoma. |
| in the February 2009 issue of the journal Brain, | | | | The researchers believe their findings would help slow |
| Behavior and Immunity. | | | | down the progression of malignant melanoma and |
| A research team including Eric V. Yang a research | | | | offer new hope for prolonging the lives of patients |
| scientist at Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research | | | | suffering with advanced stage malignant melanoma. |