Conclusions
These data suggest a biological signature of hope associated with less inflammation and more normalized diurnal cortisol in ovarian cancer. These findings have potential clinical utility but need replication with more diverse samples and validated assessments of hope.
Results
Greater hope was significantly related to a steeper cortisol slope, β = -0.193, p = 0.046, and lower night cortisol, β = -0.227, p = 0.018, plasma IL-6, β = -0.142, p = 0.033, and ascites IL-6, β = -0.290, p = 0.002. Secondary analyses including both hope and hopelessness showed similar patterns, with distinct relationships of hope with significantly lower nocturnal cortisol β = -0.233,p = 0.017 and ascites IL-6, β = -0.282,p = 0.003, and between hopelessness and a flatter cortisol slope, β = 0.211, p = 0.031. Conclusions: These data suggest a biological signature of hope associated with less inflammation and more normalized diurnal cortisol in ovarian cancer. These findings have potential clinical utility but need replication with more diverse samples and validated assessments of hope.