An increase in circulating interleukin 6 (IL – 6), a sign of inflammation, among prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was linked to increased obesity, according to a study published in the journal Cancer.1,2
“Interleukin-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is often associated with sleep disturbance and therefore obesity,” said Aasha Hoogland, PhD, lead study author and applied research scientist in the Health Outcomes & Behavior Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, in a press release.
“Studies have shown that testosterone can suppress the effects of IL-6, but ADT limits testosterone production in the body, which is why we are seeing higher levels in this patient group. , ”Said Hoogland.
Previous research has established an association between ADT and higher levels of obesity, depressive symptomatology, and brain weakness in patients. However, no studies have focused on whether ADT-induced inflammation contributed to the development of these symptoms.
“This is the first known study examining the link between inflammation and symptoms of obesity, depression, or brain weakness in prostate cancer patients receiving ADT,” Heather Jim, PhD, associate author and co-director of Health Products & Behavior Program at Moffitt, stated in the press release.
“Because testosterone suppression can increase inflammation in the body, we believe that inflammation may also contribute to these symptoms,” Jim said.
Moffitt examiners evaluated 2 groups of men. The first included 47 patients with prostate cancer treated with ADT. Patients were assessed at the onset of ADT and then at 6 and 12 months after the start of treatment. The second group consisted of a group of 82 men who matched age and education without a history of cancer assessed at similar times.
The researchers’ strategy was to study the circulatory symptoms of inflammation in patients receiving ADT and to study a possible link between these symptoms and an increase in fatigue, depression. mental, and mental disorders associated with ADT.
The circulatory symptoms of inflammation assessed included interleukin receptor antagonist 1 (IL – 1RA), IL – 6, receptor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF – RII), and C – reactive protein (CRP).
Fatigue was assessed by the Symptom Fatigue Account, depression was assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and mental disorders were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests.
The results showed a significant increase over time in fatigue, depressive symptomatology, and serum IL – 6 among patients receiving ADT versus the non – cancerous group. “Levels of mental retardation varied greatly between groups,” the author wrote.
Over time, no significant changes were detected in IL – 1RA, sTNF – RII, or CRP.
The researchers established a link between elevations in IL-6 and increased obesity; however, no such link has been established between IL-6 elevations and an increase in the symptomatology of depression or psychiatric disorders.
The next steps, according to Moffit researchers, are further studies examining whether specific interventions, such as exercise and anti-inflammatory medications, can reduce obesity and depression in patients with prostate cancer. is getting ADT.
References
1. Inflammation from Androgen Depletion Therapy can cause fatigue in prostate cancer patients. Published online January 4, 2020. https://bit.ly/391Yl6I. Accessed 4 January 2020.
2. Hoogland AI, Jim HSL, Gonzalez BD, et al. Systemic inflammation and symptomatology in patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deficiency therapy: Preliminary conclusions [published online December 30, 2020]. Cancer. doi: 10.1002 / cncr.33397