Breast cancer patients had greater perceived cognitive impairment before and after chemotherapy compared with controls without cancer, according to a nationwide prospective study. To elucidate the potential impact of inflammation on cognitive function, Belcher and colleagues investigated the links between immune cell counts and lymphocyte/monocyte ratios with perceived cognitive impairment before and after chemotherapy treatment.
As part of a longitudinal cohort study conducted through the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program network (NCT01382082), self-reported data from the perceived cognitive impairment subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: Cognitive Function were scored at pre-chemotherapy (0-7 days before first chemotherapy) and post-chemotherapy (0-30 days after last chemotherapy), with a possible score range of 0 to 72. At pre- and post-chemotherapy, immune cell counts were measured via complete blood count with differential and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was determined. The association of immune cell counts and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio with pre- and post-chemotherapy perceived cognitive impairment levels were evaluated.
The population comprised 544 patients with data for perceived cognitive impairment and immune cell at pre-chemotherapy and 532 patients with data at post-chemotherapy, with a mean age of 53.1 years. Notably, at pre-chemotherapy higher basophil counts and lymphocyte monocyte ratio scores were significantly associated with worse perceived cognitive impairment (P <.05; P <.05, respectively). Higher basophil count and lymphocyte monocyte ratio were significantly associated with worse perceived cognitive impairment at post-chemotherapy as well (P <.05; P <.05). The investigators concluded that in adults with breast cancer, inflammation is correlated with perceived cognitive function before and after chemotherapy. To reduce cancer-related cognitive impairment, there may be a benefit to targeting specific inflammatory processes.
Source:
Belcher E, Gilmore N, Kehoe L, et al. Immune cell counts and perceived cognitive impairment before and after chemotherapy among 544 women with breast cancer. Presented at: American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 Annual Meeting, June 4-8. Abstract 12114.
To sign up for our newsletter or print publications, please enter your contact information below.