Chronic activation of the body’s stress response system through sympathetic nervous system activation and adrenergic signaling may impair immune function and worsen cancer outcomes. My research involves investigating how psychosocial stress and adrenergic-modulating medications influence inflammation, immune suppression, and survival in breast cancer patients, including a population of Black breast cancer survivors, who are disproportionately affected by stress-related disparities.

Christine Ambrosone, PhD, and Chi-Chen Hong, PhD