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García-González D, Medino-Muñoz J, Romero-Elías M, García-Foncillas J, Ruiz-Casado A. Biological mechanisms of cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors after treatment: a scoping review. J Cancer Surviv 2023:10.1007/s11764-023-01477-z. [PMID: 37930591 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01477-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common symptom experienced by cancer survivors. It is a multidimensional symptom affecting physical, emotional, and/or cognitive spheres, different from other types of fatigue. Characteristically is not alleviated by sleep or rest. CRF could have specific features in breast cancer survivors (BCS), because of sex, hormones, and distinct treatments. On the other hand, more than 25% of BCS report persistent CRF for 10 years or more after the diagnosis. The present study aims to recapitulate the knowledge about the biological mechanisms that potentially drive CRF in BCS after treatment. METHODS To answer a broad question, a scoping review methodology was used. Data were collated from three bibliographic databases: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Studies were selected if they had included more than 20 BCS, after finishing their treatment, fatigue was measured with a quantitative scale and biomarkers were analyzed. RESULTS The final database was composed of 1896 records. Sixty-four studies finally met the eligibility criteria. Inflammation (61%), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation (14%), autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction (11%), and diet (9%) were the biological pathways most frequently studied. Unfortunately, results from studies about inflammation and HPA axis show many inconsistencies. CONCLUSION More research about the role of ANS dysfunction and diet on the pathogenesis of CRF would be warranted according to the results of the review. There are some fields such as endocannabinoid systems, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut microbiota, and oxidative stress that have been insufficiently explored. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS To widen the scope of future research in the physiopathology of CRF, it is necessary to identify mechanisms that would be potentially involved and have been insufficiently explored. Because of the high prevalence of CRF in BCS and the tremendous impact that fatigue has in their quality of life, it is essential to improve the efficacy of the treatments through a good knowledge of the biological basis of CRF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Medino-Muñoz
- Library, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, 28942, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Romero-Elías
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, IDIPHISA, 28222, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús García-Foncillas
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Ruiz-Casado
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, IDIPHISA, 28222, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, IDIPHISA, 28222, Madrid, Spain.
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Lin LY, Tam KW, Huang TW. Effect of bright light therapy on cancer-related fatigue and related symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Psychosom Res 2023; 174:111501. [PMID: 37797569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common side effect in cancer patients, possibly due to disrupted circadian rhythms. While bright light therapy (BLT) is known to modulate circadian rhythms, its role in mitigating CRF remains unclear. This study examined the impact of BLT on CRF and other related symptoms. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS databases were searched. The trials were selected according to the PRISMA guidelines. The severity and quality of CRF and related symptoms were investigated in post-BLT intervention. RESULTS Twelve trials involving 691 were included. BLT significantly reduced CRF (SMD = -0.92, 95% CI: -1.45 to -0.40, p < 0.00001, I2 = 90%) and insomnia (SMD = -2.80, 95% CI: -4.61 to -0.98, I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyzes were performed based on various factors including light illuminance and intervention duration. BLT was found to be effective in both preventing and treating CRF, though it did not significantly enhance sleep quality, depression, and quality of life (QoL). CONCLUSION BLT is a promising intervention for managing CRF in cancer patients. Its efficacy in improving sleep quality, and insomnia, reducing depression, and enhancing QoL requires further exploration. A 4-week BLT intervention with ≥10,000 lx is recommended for preventing and treating CRF, with longer or less intense interventions also showing effectiveness. Otherwise, BLT exhibited minimal adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee-Yuan Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ka-Wai Tam
- Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Tsai-Wei Huang
- Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Nursing and Healthcare Research in Clinical Practice Application, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Melis M, Schroyen G, Blommaert J, Leenaerts N, Smeets A, Van Der Gucht K, Sunaert S, Deprez S. The Impact of Mindfulness on Functional Brain Connectivity and Peripheral Inflammation in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Complaints. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3632. [PMID: 37509292 PMCID: PMC10377401 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been linked to functional brain changes and inflammatory processes. Hence, interventions targeting these underlying mechanisms are needed. In this study, we investigated the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on brain function and inflammatory profiles in breast cancer survivors with CRCI. METHODS Female breast cancer survivors reporting cognitive complaints (n = 117) were randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based intervention (n = 43), physical training (n = 36), or waitlist control condition (n = 38). Region-of-interest (ROI) and graph theory analyses of resting state functional MRI data were performed to study longitudinal group differences in functional connectivity and organization in the default mode, dorsal attention, salience, and frontoparietal network. Additionally, bead-based immunoassays were used to investigate the differences in inflammatory profiles on serum samples. Measures were collected before, immediately after and three months post-intervention. RESULTS No ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity changes were identified. Compared to no intervention, graph analysis showed a larger decrease in clustering coefficient after mindfulness and physical training. Additionally, a larger increase in global efficiency after physical training was identified. Furthermore, the physical training group showed a larger decrease in an inflammatory profile compared to no intervention (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-8). CONCLUSION Both mindfulness and physical training induced changes in the functional organization of networks related to attention, emotion processing, and executive functioning. While both interventions reduced functional segregation, only physical training increased functional integration of the neural network. In conclusion, physical training had the most pronounced effects on functional network organization and biomarkers of inflammation, two mechanisms that might be involved in CRCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Melis
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gwen Schroyen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Blommaert
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Gynecological Oncology, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Leenaerts
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Mind-Body Research, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Smeets
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Multidisciplinary Breast Center, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Der Gucht
- Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Leuven Mindfulness Centre, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sabine Deprez
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Franco-Rocha OY, Mahaffey ML, Matsui W, Kesler SR. Remote assessment of cognitive dysfunction in hematologic malignancies using web-based neuropsychological testing. Cancer Med 2023; 12:6068-6076. [PMID: 36221244 PMCID: PMC10028155 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a frequent adverse effect of cancer and its therapies. As neuropsychological assessment is not often standard of care for patients with non-CNS disease, efficient, practical assessment tools are required to track cognition across the disease course. We examined cognitive functioning using a web-based cognitive testing battery to determine if it could detect differences between patients with cancer and controls. METHODS We enrolled 22 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 40 healthy controls (mean age = 56 ± 11 years, 52% male). Participants completed the BrainCheck cognitive testing battery and online versions of select measures from the Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) during a video conference. MANOVA was used to compare BrainCheck and PROMIS scores between groups controlling for age and sex. An exploratory linear regression analysis was conducted within the cancer group to determine potential contributors to cognitive functioning. RESULTS All participants except for one control completed the online assessment measures without difficulty. Compared to controls, the cancer group demonstrated significantly lower scores in objective and subjective cognitive function, physical functioning, and social role performance and elevated fatigue scores. Corticosteroid treatment, immunotherapy, lower physical functioning, lower income, and older age significantly contributed to lower cognitive function (adjusted R2 = 0.925, F = 19.63, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Remote assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning is feasible with patients with cancer following treatments. The BrainCheck cognitive testing battery has the potential to detect differences in cognition between patients with cancer and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Y Franco-Rocha
- Brain Health Neuroscience Lab, School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Misty L Mahaffey
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Health Care, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - William Matsui
- Department of Oncology, Dell School of Medicine, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Shelli R Kesler
- Brain Health Neuroscience Lab, School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Oncology, Dell School of Medicine, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Changes in Degree Centrality and Functional Connectivity after the First Cycle of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: A Longitudinal Study. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:8270100. [PMID: 36479042 PMCID: PMC9722319 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8270100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the longitudinal changes of brain degree centrality (DC) and functional connectivity (FC) in breast cancer patients after the first cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Methods Thirty-five breast cancer patients were included in the NAC group. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychological test were performed at baseline before NAC (time point 0, TP0) and after the first cycle of NAC (time point 1, TP1). The healthy controls (HC) included 30 healthy subjects and received the same rs-fMRI scan and neuropsychological test as the above-mentioned NAC group at one time point. DC and FC analyses were conducted to assess brain connectivity of all participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of DC and FC in distinguishing patients before and after chemotherapy. Results In the NAC group, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores decreased significantly over time. At TP0 and TP1, the Digital Span Test forward score of the NAC group was significantly lower than that of the HC group. In the NAC group, DC in the right middle frontal gyrus and left precentral gyrus/middle frontal gyrus decreased significantly at TP1, and FC between the left precentral gyrus/middle frontal gyrus and bilateral precuneus was significantly reduced at TP1. Through ROC analysis, we found that the area under the curve (AUC) of DC, FC, and the combined model in distinguishing patients in TP0 or TP1 was 0.7886, 0.7665, and 0.8278, respectively. Conclusions Brain connectivity, involving executive and motor function related brain areas, changes in the short term after NAC treatment in breast cancer patients.
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Luijendijk MJ, Bekele BM, Schagen SB, Douw L, de Ruiter MB. Temporal Dynamics of Resting-state Functional Networks and Cognitive Functioning following Systemic Treatment for Breast Cancer. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:1927-1937. [PMID: 35705764 PMCID: PMC9581823 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00651-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Many women with breast cancer suffer from a decline in memory and executive function, particularly after treatment with chemotherapy. Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that changes in network dynamics are fundamental in decline in these cognitive functions. This has, however, not yet been investigated in breast cancer patients. Using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we prospectively investigated whether changes in dynamic functional connectivity were associated with changes in memory and executive function. We examined 34 breast cancer patients that received chemotherapy, 32 patients that did not receive chemotherapy, and 35 no-cancer controls. All participants were assessed prior to treatment and six months after completion of chemotherapy, or at similar intervals for the other groups. To assess memory and executive function, we used the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Immediate Recall and the Trail Making Test B, respectively. Using a sliding window approach, we then evaluated dynamic functional connectivity of resting state networks supporting memory and executive function, i.e. the default mode network and frontoparietal network, respectively. Next, we directly investigated the association between cognitive performance and dynamic functional connectivity. We found no group differences in cognitive performance or connectivity measures. The association between dynamic functional connectivity of the default mode network and memory differed significantly across groups. This was not the case for the frontoparietal network and executive function. This suggests that cancer and chemotherapy alter the role of dynamic functional connectivity in memory function. Further implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryse J Luijendijk
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Brain and Cognition Group, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Biniam M Bekele
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne B Schagen
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Brain and Cognition Group, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Linda Douw
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel B de Ruiter
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kesler SR, Tang T, Henneghan AM, Wright M, Gaber MW, Palesh O. Cross-Sectional Characterization of Local Brain Network Connectivity Pre and Post Breast Cancer Treatment and Distinct Association With Subjective Cognitive and Psychological Function. Front Neurol 2021; 12:746493. [PMID: 34777216 PMCID: PMC8586413 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.746493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to characterize local brain network connectivity in long-term breast cancer survivors compared to newly diagnosed patients. Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and subjective cognitive and psychological function data were obtained from a group of 76 newly diagnosed, pre-treatment female patients with breast cancer (mean age 57 ± 7 years) and a separate group of 80, post-treatment, female breast cancer survivors (mean age 58 ± 8; mean time since treatment 44 ± 43 months). The network-based statistic (NBS) was used to compare connectivity of local brain edges between groups. Hubs were defined as nodes with connectivity indices one standard deviation or more above network mean and were further classified as provincial (higher intra-subnetwork connectivity) or connector (higher inter-subnetwork connectivity) using the participation coefficient. We determined the hub status of nodes encompassing significantly different edges and correlated the centralities of edges with behavioral measures. Results: The post-treatment group demonstrated significantly lower subjective cognitive function (W = 3,856, p = 0.004) but there were no group differences in psychological distress (W = 2,866, p = 0.627). NBS indicated significantly altered connectivity (p < 0.042, corrected) in the post-treatment group compared to the pre-treatment group largely in temporal, frontal-temporal and temporal-parietal areas. The majority of the regions projecting these connections (78%) met criteria for hub status and significantly less of these hubs were connectors in the post-treatment group (z = 1.85, p = 0.031). Subjective cognitive function and psychological distress were correlated with largely non-overlapping edges in the post-treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Widespread functional network alterations are evident in long-term survivors of breast cancer compared to newly diagnosed patients. We also demonstrated that there are both overlapping and unique brain network signatures for subjective cognitive function vs. psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R. Kesler
- School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Tien Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Michelle Wright
- School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M. Waleed Gaber
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Oxana Palesh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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