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01-04-2012 | Original Article

Differential expression of cytokines in breast cancer patients receiving different chemotherapies: implications for cognitive impairment research

Authors: Michelle C. Janelsins, Karen M. Mustian, Oxana G. Palesh, Supriya G. Mohile, Luke J. Peppone, Lisa K. Sprod, Charles E. Heckler, Joseph A. Roscoe, Alan W. Katz, Jacqueline P. Williams, Gary R. Morrow

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Purpose

Altered levels of cytokines and chemokines may play a role in cancer- and cancer treatment-related cognitive difficulties. In many neurodegenerative diseases, abnormal concentrations of cytokines and chemokines affect neuronal integrity leading to cognitive impairments, but the role of cytokines in chemotherapy-related cognitive difficulties in cancer patients is not well understood. Patients receiving doxorubicin-based (with cyclophosphamide, or cyclophosphamide plus fluorouracil; AC/CAF) chemotherapy or cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy report experiencing cognitive difficulties; because these regimens work by different modes of action, it is possible that they differentially affect cytokine levels.

Methods

This study examined the relationships between cytokine levels (i.e., IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1) and type of chemotherapy among 54 early-stage breast cancer patients receiving AC/CAF or CMF. Cytokine levels were assessed at two time-points: prior to on-study chemotherapy cycle 2 (cycle 2) and after two consecutive chemotherapy cycles (prior to on-study cycle 4; cycle 4).

Main results

Analyses of variance using cycle 2 levels as a covariate (ANCOVA) were used to determine differences between chemotherapy groups. Levels of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 increased in the AC/CAF group and decreased in the CMF group; the only significant between-group change was in IL-6 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results, although preliminary based on the small sample size, suggest that AC/CAF chemotherapy is more cytokine inducing than CMF. Future studies should confirm these results and explore the distinct inflammatory responses elicited by different chemotherapy regimens when assessing cognitive function in cancer patients.

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Title: Differential expression of cytokines in breast cancer patients receiving different chemotherapies: implications for cognitive impairment research
Authors: Michelle C. Janelsins
Karen M. Mustian
Oxana G. Palesh
Supriya G. Mohile
Luke J. Peppone
Lisa K. Sprod
Charles E. Heckler
Joseph A. Roscoe
Alan W. Katz
Jacqueline P. Williams
Gary R. Morrow
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1158-0

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