The Somatic Cost of a Threatened Mind: From Survival Circuits to Oncogenesis

Abstract This study investigated individual differences in tumor progression using an intracerebral implantation rat glioma model. The most extensive tumor growth was associated with high anxiety levels. These results demonstrate that chronic activation of stress-induced neuroendocrine circuits establishes a pro-tumorigenic niche. Our findings suggest that targeted behavioral interventions could manipulate these fundamental cellular states, revealing a novel strategy to therapeutically remodeling the tumor microenvironment.