Predicting Relevant Microglia-Associated Cell-Cell Communication Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease: A Role for SPP1.

Prostate cancer ranks as the most common malignancy affecting older men globally (Bray et al. ). The majority of cases occur in individuals over 60 years old, resulting in a substantial and growing population of elderly prostate cancer survivors (Wagle et al. ). Despite earlier detection and improved treatment for prostate cancers that have extended average survival beyond 5 years, many patients continue to experience psychosocial disturbances arising from the disease and its treatment (Siegel et al. ; Fang et al. ; Wu et al. ). Among these, social isolation has emerged as a major concern. Social isolation reflects a reduction in social contact and engagement, often accompanied by negative attitudes and behavioural withdrawal (Nicholson ). Among men with prostate cancer, moderate to high levels of isolation are commonly reported, and these experiences may persist long after treatment cessation (Fang et al. ). Older adults are particularly vulnerable, as age‐related physical decline limits social interaction and mobility, gradually weakening their ties with family, friends, and society (Tseng et al. ). Among elderly prostate cancer patients, social isolation can be intensified by the combined physical, psychological, and social burdens imposed by the disease and its therapy (Eymech et al. ). Consequently, social isolation can impair overall health by reducing gait speed, worsening comorbidities, and emotional distress (Shankar et al. ). Prolonged social isolation has also been linked to heightened inflammatory responses that may foster tumour growth and metastasis (Verza et al. ). As a result, severe social isolation correlates with greater cancer mortality and worsens survival outcomes (Vince et al. ). Therefore, addressing social isolation among elderly prostate cancer patients is crucial and warrants greater attention. According to the Theory of Adaptation to Chronic Illness (ACI), social isolation is influenced by external and internal stimuli (Pollock ). ACI refers to the level at which changes in behavioural patterns, function level, and life experiences are attributed to adaptive capacity (Chen et al. ). The model emphasizes that health‐related factors can influence an individual's cognition and adaptation processing and, ultimately, affect functional status and psychosocial well‐being. Within ACI, social isolation reflects life maladaptation and social health status. It may be influenced by frailty, illness perception, acceptance of illness, and so on.