Assessing Oxytocin levels, a biomarker of resiliency, among Latina Breast Cancer Survivors: The Nuevo Amanecer- II Study
By: Adriana Mejia Lopez
Department: Physiology
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Leticia Márquez-Magaña and Dr. Cathy Samayoa (UCSF)
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for Latina in the United States. These disparities in cancer outcomes are impacted by social factors, and emerging evidence indicates that chronic stress may also be driving these inequities. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that modulates the stress response by acting on the HPA axis, buffering cortisol, mitigating pain, and promoting resiliency. Social support has been shown to increase salivary oxytocin and diminish cortisol levels, suggesting that stress management interventions may have the potential to impact cancer outcomes among vulnerable populations through the release of oxytocin.
The objective of this study is to 1) examine endogenous salivary oxytocin levels and 2) determine the relationship between oxytocin, somatization, and measures of stress among Latina breast cancer survivors participating in the community-based Nuevo Amanecer-II stress management intervention.
Saliva was collected from Spanish-speaking rural Latina breast cancer survivors (n=103) using saliva collection kits. Salivary oxytocin will be extracted and quantified using an Enzyme Immunoassay. We will estimate the association between oxytocin and self-reported measures of somatization and stress collected through surveys and between cortisol, a stress biomarker.
We expect that the community-based behavioral stress management intervention will increase salivary oxytocin levels. This increase in oxytocin levels will be inversely correlated to cortisol levels, perceived stress, and somatization.
This study will examine oxytocin levels, a biomarker of resiliency, among Latina breast cancer survivors and evaluate the impact of a stress-management intervention on relevant biomarkers. These findings will uncover the biological mechanisms involved in breast cancer disparities.