Inflammation from ADT may cause fatigue in prostate cancer patients
Elevation in inflammation marker IL-6 linked to higher levels of fatigue


Date:
January 4, 2021
Source:
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Summary:
Researchers are investigating whether inflammation in the body,
a side effect of ADT, contributes to these symptoms in prostate
cancer patients.

They pinpoint a specific inflammation marker that is associated
with increased fatigue in this group of patients.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the
U.S. For many patients, hormone therapy is a treatment option. This type
of therapy, also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), reduces the
level of testosterone and other androgens in the body. Lowering androgen
levels can make prostate cancer cells grow more slowly or shrink tumors
over time. However, patients receiving ADT often experience higher levels
of fatigue, depression and cognitive impairment.


========================================================================== Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are investigating whether inflammation
in the body, a side effect of ADT, contributes to these symptoms in
prostate cancer patients. In a new study published in the journal Cancer,
they pinpoint a specific inflammation marker that is associated with
increased fatigue in this group of patients.

"This is the first study that we know of that examines the association
between inflammation and symptoms of fatigue, depression or cognitive impairment in prostate cancer patients receiving ADT," said Heather
Jim, Ph.D., corresponding author and co-leader of the Health Outcomes & Behavior Program at Moffitt.

"Because the blocking of testosterone can increase inflammation in the
body, we believe that inflammation may also be contributing to these
symptoms." For the study, the research team evaluated two groups of men: prostate cancer patients beginning ADT and a control group of healthy
men the same age. The men were assessed at the start of the study and
again at six and 12 months.

Assessments included fatigue, depression and other neuropsychological
tests and a blood draw. The bloodwork was to check for circulating markers
of inflammation, specifically interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (sTNF-R2)
and C- reactive protein (CRP).

While the groups did not differ at baseline, researchers noticed a
significant increase in fatigue and depressive symptoms in the ADT
patients over the 12- month period. They also saw an increase in one inflammation marker, IL-6, in this group of patients.

"Interleukin-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is often associated
with disruption of sleep and therefore fatigue," said Aasha Hoogland,
Ph.D., lead study author and an applied research scientist in the Health Outcomes & Behavior Program at Moffitt. "Studies have shown testosterone
can suppress the effects of IL-6, but ADT limits testosterone production
in the body, which is why we may be seeing increased levels in this
patient group." The researchers say additional studies are needed to
see if interventions, such as anti-inflammatory medications and exercise,
can help alleviate fatigue and depressive symptoms in ADT patients.

This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01
CA132803 and P30 CA076292) and a Miles for Moffitt Milestone Award.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by H._Lee_Moffitt_Cancer_Center_&_Research_Institute. Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Aasha I. Hoogland, Heather S. L. Jim, Brian D. Gonzalez, Brent
J. Small,
Danielle Gilvary, Elizabeth C. Breen, Julienne E. Bower, Mayer
Fishman, Babu Zachariah, Paul B. Jacobsen. Systemic inflammation
and symptomatology in patients with prostate cancer treated with
androgen deprivation therapy: Preliminary findings. Cancer, 2020;
DOI: 10.1002/ cncr.33397 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210104114113.htm

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