Baseline Immune Biomarkers as Predictors of MBSR(BC) Treatment Success in Off-Treatment Breast Cancer Patients
Richard R Reich, Cecile A Lengacher, Kevin E Kip, Steven C. Shivers, Michael J. Schell, Melissa M Shelton, Raymond H. Widen, Catherine Newton, Michelle Barta, Carly L Paterson, Jerrica R. Farias, Charles Cox, Thomas W. Klein
Biological Research for Nursing October 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1177/1099800413519494 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 41 |
| Population | Breast cancer survivors |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 6-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Multiple baseline immune biomarkers were positively associated with symptom improvement six weeks after a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention. B-lymphocytes and interferon-γ most strongly predicted gastrointestinal improvement, CD4+CD8 cells predicted cognitive/psychological improvement, and lymphocytes and interleukin-4 predicted fatigue improvement. The authors describe this as preliminary evidence that baseline biomarkers may help identify patients likely to benefit from the intervention. |
Abstract
Researchers focused on patient-centered medicine are increasingly trying to identify baseline factors that predict treatment success. Because the quantity and function of lymphocyte subsets change during stress, we hypothesized that these subsets would serve as stress markers and therefore predict which breast cancer patients would benefit most from mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)-facilitated stress relief. The purpose of this study was to assess whether baseline biomarker levels predicted symptom improvement following an MBSR intervention for breast cancer survivors (MBSR[BC]). This randomized controlled trial involved 41 patients assigned to either an MBSR(BC) intervention group or a no-treatment control group. Biomarkers were assessed at baseline, and symptom change was assessed 6 weeks later. Biomarkers included common lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood as well as the ability of T cells to become activated and secrete cytokines in response to stimulation with mitogens. Spearman correlations were used to identify univariate relationships between baseline biomarkers and 6-week improvement of symptoms. Next, backward elimination regression models were used to identify the strongest predictors from the univariate analyses. Multiple baseline biomarkers were significantly positively related to 6-week symptom improvement. The regression models identified B-lymphocytes and interferon-γ as the strongest predictors of gastrointestinal improvement ( p < .01), +CD4+CD8 as the strongest predictor of cognitive/psychological (CP) improvement ( p = .02), and lymphocytes and interleukin (IL)-4 as the strongest predictors of fatigue improvement ( p < .01). These results provide preliminary evidence of the potential to use baseline biomarkers as predictors to identify the patients likely to benefit from this intervention.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on breast cancer symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis Einstein 2018
- Global Meditation Practices: A Literature Review. Holistic Nursing Practice
- Efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction versus usual care in patients with breast cancer: a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Oncology 2026
- Effect of mindfulness-based stress on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Oncology 2025
- Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Oncology 2024
and 11 more in the library
Cites 8
- Lymphocyte Recovery After Breast Cancer Treatment and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Therapy Biological Research for Nursing 2013
- Mindfulness based stress reduction in post-treatment breast cancer patients: an examination of symptoms and symptom clusters. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2012
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology April 1, 2010
- The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on mental health of adults with a chronic medical disease: a meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 9, 2009
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology June 2009
and 3 more in the library