A psychoncological study of lymphocyte subpopulations in relation to pleasure-related neurobiochemistry and sexual and spiritual profile to Rorschach's test in early or advanced cancer patients.

According to recent advances in psychoneuroimmunology concerning the neurobiochemistry of emotions, the pshychological status of cancer patients should be investigated in relation to the function of the psychoneurodocrine system, in an attempt to put into evidence possible cancer progression-related alterations, particularly those involving the dopaminergic pathways, which play a fundamental role in the perception of pleasure. In fact, the decreased capacity of feeling pleasure is one of the most frequent psychic symptoms occurring in cancer patients. Rorschach's test has been proven to be an appropriate psychological tool to investigate psychic condition including sexual and spiritual profiles. On this basis, a study was planned to evaluate if a relation exists between psychological response to Rorschach's test and immunoneuroendocrine status of cancer patients. The immune status was investigated by measuring lymphocyte subsets and serum levels of IL-2 and IL-10. The neuroendocrine status was analyzed by evaluating the endocrine response of PRL, GH and cortisol to an oral administration of apomorphine (0.01 mg/kg b.w.), a dopaminergic agent able to explore dopaminergic sensitivity. The study included 40 cancer patients (breast cancer: 15; colorectal cancer: 14; lung cancer: 11), 21 of whom showed distant organ metastases. Rorschach's test demonstrated a simultaneous suppression of sexual and spiritual profiles in 31/40 (78%) patients, without significant differences in relation to either tumor histotype or disease state. A normal decline in PRL levels and a normal increase in those of GH and cortisol was observed in 29/40 (73%), 5/40 (13%) and 9/40 (23%) patients. The percent of normal responses of PRL, GH and cortisol was higher in patients with normal than in those with altered response to Rorschach's test, even though only the difference in PRL and cortisol response was statistically significant. Patients with normal sexual and spiritual expression at Rorschach's test showed a significantly higher number of total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, T helper lymphocytes and NK cells with respect to the patients with altered psychological response, whereas no difference was found in T cytotoxic lymphocyte mean number. IL-2 and IL-10 mean serum concentrations were lower and higher, respectively, in patients with altered than in those with normal response to Rorschach's test, even though only the difference in IL-10 values was statitistically significant. This preliminary study, carried out to analyze the psychological status of cancer patients in relation to neuroendocrine and immune conditions, would suggest that neoplastic disease is characterized by a simultaneous suppression of sexual and spiritual profiles, and that this is associated with neuroendocrine alterations and immunosuppression.