SynthesisBiological research for nursing2021
Allostatic Load in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Mini Meta-Analysis.
Synthesis in Biological research for nursing, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 65 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
65 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The effects of allostatic load on patients undergoing surgery: a systematic review.Frontiers in surgery · 2026Pooled it
- Global determinants of breast cancer mortality: a comprehensive meta-analysis of clinical, demographic, and lifestyle risk factors.BMC public health · 2025Pooled it
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Oncologic Liver Resections in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Opportunities to Improve Evidence and Outcomes.Journal of surgical oncology · 2025Pooled it
- Allostatic Load Measurement: A Systematic Review of Reviews, Database Inventory, and Considerations for Neighborhood Research.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Pooled it
- The underexplored links between cancer and the internal body climate: Implications for cancer prevention and treatment.Frontiers in oncology · 2022Pooled it
- Symptom Clusters in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Model.Seminars in oncology nursing · 2021Pooled it
- Marital Status, Living Arrangement, and Cancer Recurrence and Survival in Patients with Stage III Colon Cancer: Findings from CALGB 89803 (Alliance).The oncologist · 2022Trial
- Review
- Review
- Allostatic Load, Multimorbidity, and Overall and Cancer-Specific Survival among Older Adults in the United States.Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology · 2026Article
- Association between allostatic load and risk of breast carcinoma in situ in the UK biobank.Cancer causes & control : CCC · 2026Article
- Allostatic Load Predicts Symptom Burden Among Breast Cancer Survivors.Research square · 2026Article
- Association Between Allostatic Load and Incident Colorectal Cancer-A Prospective Study in a Multiethnic Asian Population.Cancer medicine · 2026Article
- Census Tract-Level Persistent Poverty and Liver Cancer Survival: A Population-Based Study.Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology · 2026Article
- L-SOLCO Pilot Study: Examining Allostatic Load and Cancer Treatment Disparities.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2026Article
- Assessing all-cause mortality and years of life lost associated with impaired biological health over time: the Tromsø study.European journal of public health · 2026Article
- Socioeconomic disparities in long-term heart failure risk of trastuzumab with or without anthracyclines in early-stage breast cancer: a SEER-Medicare database analysis.NPJ breast cancer · 2026Article
- Assessing Measurement Invariance in Allostatic Load between Black and White Adolescents.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2026Article
- Allostatic load, personality traits, and cancer risk: A prospective cohort study.Psychological medicine · 2026Article
- Allostatic load as a framework for understanding early-onset colorectal cancer: current biomarker evidence and future directions.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Article
5 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundIndividuals with cancer experience stress throughout the cancer trajectory. Allostatic load (AL), a cumulative multi-system measure, may have a greater value in stress assessment and the associated biological burden than individual biomarkers. A better understanding of the use of AL and its operationalization in cancer could aid in early detection and prevention or alleviation of AL in this population. PURPOSE: To consolidate findings on the operationalization, antecedents, and outcomes of AL in cancer.
methodsSeven databases (CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL) were searched for articles published through April 2020. The NIH tools were used to assess study quality.
resultsTwelve studies met inclusion criteria for this review. Although variability existed in the estimation of AL, biomarkers of cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems were mostly used. Associations of AL with cancer-specific variables were examined mostly utilizing population-databases. Significant associations of AL with variables such as cancer-related stress, positive cancer history, post traumatic growth, resilience, tumor pathology, and cancer-specific mortality were found. Mini meta-analysis found that a one-unit increase in AL was associated with a 9% increased risk of cancer-specific mortality.
conclusionThis review reveals heterogeneity in operationalization of AL in cancer research and lack of clarity regarding causal direction between AL and cancer. Nevertheless, AL holds a significant promise in cancer research and practice. AL could be included as a screening tool for high-risk individuals or a health outcome in cancer. Optimal standardized approaches to measure AL would improve its clinical utility.
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