Cancer-Related Fatigue and Circulating Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Survivors
David García-González, María Romero-Elias, Alejandro Álvarez‐Bustos, Silvia Rosado, Antonio Sánchez, Blanca Cantos, Constanza Maximiano, Míriam Méndez, Marta Méndez-Otero, Héctor Cebolla‐Boado, Jesús García‐Foncillas, Ana Ruiz‐Casado
Abstract
PURPOSE: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and disruptive symptom experienced by cancer survivors and because of its frequency and severity is especially worrisome in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Despite a great deal of research, the mechanisms underlying CRF have not been determined. The present study aims to describe associations between CRF in BCS and different blood biomarkers. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. A set of biomarkers assessing inflammation were measured in BCS: C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF); HPA axis dysfunction (cortisol), autonomic dysfunction (noradrenaline); oxidative stress (8-OH deoxyguanosine); insulin resistance markers (insulin, IGF-I, IGFBP3) and sexual hormones (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone). RESULTS: .02) were positive and negatively associated with CRF, respectively. The rest of the blood markers were not associated with CRF. CONCLUSION: Our results increase the evidence on pathophysiological mechanisms driving CRF in BCS. However, longitudinal studies are needed to explore the role of these factors as potential causal mechanisms.