MIND-BODY TRANSFORMATIONS-THERAPY (MBT-T) IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: CLINICAL AND INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL GENOMICS APPROACH

Several studies have highlighted the key role of chronic inflammation in breast cancer development, progression and therapeutic outcome. These processes are mediated by various cytokines. Recent findings suggest
that therapeutic mind-body protocols, can reduce the expression of genes associated with inflammation and
stress-related pathways. An interventional, non-pharmacological, randomized study on patients with breast
cancer was carried out to validate the genomic and epigenetic effects of the mind-body transformations
technique (MBT-T). 28 patients were recruited at the end of the standard adjuvant treatments. Patients were
randomly assigned to standard follow-up (control arm) or to the standard follow-up + MBT-T intervention
(experimental arm). The experimental procedure requested the addition of a biweekly psychological treatment lasting 4 months. The blood samples have been collected before the treatment, 1 h after, 2 months after
and at the end of it. Our preliminary results seem indicate that MBT-T induce a reduction of the release of
different cytokines and chemokines in the breast cancer patients compared to a control group. This research
underlining the importance of integrated mind-body protocols for improving the outcome in breast cancer.