Relationship between circulating cytokine levels and physical or psychological functioning in patients with advanced cancer

• Published in: Clinical biochemistry Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 207 - 211
• Main Authors: Ishikawa, Takeshi, Kokura, Satoshi, Sakamoto, Naoyuki, Okajima, Manabu, Matsuyama, Tatsuzo, Sakai, Hiromi, Okumura, Yoko, Adachi, Satoko, Yoshida, Naohisa, Uchiyama, Kazuhiko, Handa, Osamu, Takagi, Tomohisa, Konishi, Hideyuki, Wakabayashi, Naoki, Yagi, Nobuaki, Ando, Takashi, Uno, Kazuko, Naito, Yuji, Yoshikawa, Toshikazu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.02.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Cognition; Cytokines; Cytokines - blood; Female; Humans; Interleukin-6; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms - blood; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasms - physiopathology; Neoplasms - psychology; Quality of life; Regression Analysis; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Young Adult; Cytokines; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Quality of life; Cancer; Interleukin-6; Human; Cytokine; Malignant tumor; Interleukin 6; Vascular endothelium growth factor; Immunological investigation; Clinical biology; Advanced stage
• ISSN: 0009-9120; 1873-2933
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.09.007

To investigate the relation between functional impairments of cancer patients and circulating cytokines using a multiplex technique. 50 patients with cancer were assessed using the quality of life (QOL) questionnaire. 27 plasma cytokine levels were determined by using the Bio-Plex array system. The relation to QOL scores was assessed using Chi-square test for categorical variables and univariate linear regression analysis for cytokine levels. Multivariate analysis showed that interleukin-6 (IL-6) level is a significant independent determinant of physical (β=−0.238, P=0.0126) and cognitive functioning (β=−0.462, P=0.0006) and that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level is a significant independent determinant of emotional functioning (β=−0.414, P=0.039). This study, in which 27 cytokines are simultaneously tested with cutting edge technology, demonstrates that plasma IL-6 and VEGF are significant independent determinants of functional impairments in patients with cancer. ► The relation between 27 cytokines and functions of cancer patients was investigated. ► IL-6 is a significant independent determinant of physical and cognitive functioning. ► VEGF is a significant independent determinant of emotional functioning.