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University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

The Association Between Cancer-Related-Fatigue, Response to Fatigue Treatment, and Cytokines and Their Receptors, In Patients With Advanced Cancer

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong><strong>: </strong>Inflammation is implicated in the development of cancer related fatigue (CRF). However there is limited literature on the mediators of inflammation (namely), cytokines and their receptors, associated with clinically significant fatigue and response to treatment.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong><strong> </strong>We reviewed 37 advanced cancer patients with fatigue (≥4/10), who participated in two Randomized Controlled Trials, of anti-inflammatory agents (Thalidomide and Dexamethasone) for CRF. Responders showed improvement in FACIT-F subscale at the end of study (Day 15). Baseline patient characteristics and symptoms were assessed by FACIT-F, ESAS; serum cytokines [IL-1β and receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-6, IL-6R, TNF-α and sTNF-R1 and R2, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17] levels measured by Luminex. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) [reporting cumulative variance (variance) for the first four components] to determine their association with fatigue and response to treatment. <br /><strong>Results:</strong><strong> </strong>Females were 54%. Mean (SD) was as follows for age, 61(14); baseline FACIT (F) scores, 21.4(8.6); ESAS Fatigue item, 6.5(1.9); and FACIT-F change, 6.4(9.7); ESAS (fatigue) change, -2 (2.41). Baseline median in pg/mL for IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β were 31.9; 18.9; 0.55, respectively. Change in IL-6 negatively correlated with change in FACIT-F scores (p=0.02). Baseline CRF (FACIT-F score) was associated with IL-6, IL-6R and IL-17, Variance = 78% whereas IL-10, IL-1RA, TNF-α and IL-1β were associated with improvement of CRF, Variance=74%. Conversely, IL-6 and IL-8 were associated with no improvement or worsening of CRF, Variance= 93%. <br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong><strong> </strong>Change in IL-6 negatively correlated with change in FACIT-F scores. IL-6, IL-6R and IL-17 are associated with CRF while IL-6 and IL-8 were associated with no improvement of CRF. Further studies are warranted confirm our findings.<strong></strong></p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Masters of Science (MS)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis (MS)
Year dc:date.available
2011

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Yennu, Sriram
Contributors dc:contributor
  • James M. Reuben, Ph.D
  • Eduardo Bruera, M.D.
  • Dave Balachandran, MD

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu:utgsbs_dissertations-1159

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Base URL
digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Yennu, Sriram. The Association Between Cancer-Related-Fatigue, Response to Fatigue Treatment, and Cytokines and Their Receptors, In Patients With Advanced Cancer. Thesis (MS) thesis, 2011. https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/utgsbs_dissertations/149