Cytokine levels in patients (pts) with colorectal cancer and breast cancer and their relationship to fatigue and cognitive function
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abstract
9070 Background: Cytokines have been associated with fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. Here we evaluated plasma cytokine levels in pts with colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) who were free of evident disease, and in healthy volunteers. Methods: Serum levels of 10 cytokines were measured using a LiquiChip assay on 251 subjects. CRC pts (n=136, ages 23–75) were evaluated at baseline (mean 8 weeks post-surgery [n=107] or before surgery [n=29]), with repeat measures at 6 months (56 post chemotherapy [CT], 14 without CT) and 12 months (32 post CT, 7 without CT). BC pts (n=51, ages 29–60) were within 5 years of diagnosis (33 after adjuvant CT). Healthy volunteers (n=64) had ages 20–62. Cancer pts completed questionnaires for fatigue & QOL (FACT-F), anxiety/depression (GHQ), and perceived cognitive function (FACT-COG); they had neuropsychological assessment. Results: Cytokines were elevated in all cancer groups compared to healthy controls (p-values <0.001; selected data in table ). Values were highest after surgery but remained significantly higher than healthy controls at 6–60 months after diagnosis, with a trend to being higher in cancer patients who had not received CT. There was a trend to elevated cytokines being associated with greater fatigue and cognitive impairment in both CRC and BC, but no association with QOL or anxiety & depression. Conclusions: Cytokine levels were elevated in all cancer groups compared to healthy volunteers and remained elevated up to 5 years post diagnosis; they may be associated with cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
