Does adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) exacerbate cognitive impairment in elderly breast cancer (BC) patients? Results of a prospective, longitudinal study

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10530-10530
Author(s):  
M. B. Rodin ◽  
J. A. Wallace ◽  
M. Lacy ◽  
K. Kuball ◽  
B. Pykkonen ◽  
...  

10530 Background: Over the last few years, several retrospective studies documented cognitive impairment in post-chemotherapy BC patients. This decline was hypothesized to be related to CT (“chemo-brain”). More recently, a prospective study (Wefel et al. 2005) documented significant cognitive impairment at baseline, which may impact response to CT, along with treatment related effects. While all previous studies focused on the cognitive response of young BC women, older patients may be much more susceptible to any CT related neurotoxicity. Thus, the current study investigated the incidence and course of cognitive impairment in older, post-menopausal BC patients undergoing CT. Methods: 19 postmenopausal women (≥50 yrs) with no prior chemo or hormonal cancer treatment, and baseline MMSE >23 completed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery of tests along with anxiety and depression measures, prior to treatment. At 6 months, 12 patients returned for post-chemotherapy evaluation, with 8 evaluated at 2 years. Ten DCIS patients were also evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Results: Mean age at baseline was 67 yrs with 14 years of education. Prior to treatment, 37% displayed significant cognitive impairment not accounted for by other variables. At six months, within and between group analyses revealed only improved fine motor speed (Finger tapping, p.01) related to practice effects, but no decline in cognitive functions. There were no significant differences across measures between BC and DCIS groups. However, RCI revealed 3 of 12 BC patients improved on memory tasks. Two year longitudinal analyses again revealed improved motor speed and possible cognitive flexibility (TMT-A, p.02), along with decreased anxiety (STAI-S, p = .03). Conclusion: This small study does not support a finding of treatment-associated cognitive impairment among elderly women receiving standard CT for breast cancer. However, like Wefel’s sample, we documented significant cognitive impairment prior to initiation of treatment. Studies addressing the etiologic mechanism related to this cognitive dysfunction are warranted. Limitations of the current study will be discussed. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Chan ◽  
Angie Yeo ◽  
Maung Shwe ◽  
Chia Jie Tan ◽  
Koon Mian Foo ◽  
...  

Abstract Strong evidence suggests that genetic variations in DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) may alter the downstream expression and DNA methylation patterns of neuronal genes and influence cognition. This study investigates the association between a DNMT1 polymorphism, rs2162560, and chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment (CACI) in a cohort of breast cancer patients. This is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. From 2011 to 2017, 351 early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were assessed at baseline, the midpoint, and the end of chemotherapy. DNA was extracted from whole blood, and genotyping was performed using Sanger sequencing. Patients’ self-perceived cognitive function and cognitive performance were assessed at three different time points using FACT-Cog (v.3) and a neuropsychological battery, respectively. The association between DNMT1 rs2162560 and cognitive function was evaluated using logistic regression analyses. Overall, 33.3% of the patients reported impairment relative to baseline in one or more cognitive domains. Cognitive impairment was observed in various objective cognitive domains, with incidences ranging from 7.2% to 36.9%. The DNMT1 rs2162560 A allele was observed in 21.8% of patients and this was associated with lower odds of self-reported cognitive decline in the concentration (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25–0.82, P = 0.01) and functional interference (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24–0.95, P = 0.03) domains. No significant association was observed between DNMT1 rs2162560 and objective cognitive impairment. This is the first study to show a significant association between the DNMT1 rs2162560 polymorphism and CACI. Our data suggest that epigenetic processes could contribute to CACI, and further studies are needed to validate these findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 506-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. Janelsins ◽  
Charles E. Heckler ◽  
Luke J. Peppone ◽  
Charles Kamen ◽  
Karen M. Mustian ◽  
...  

Purpose Cancer-related cognitive impairment is an important problem for patients with breast cancer, yet its trajectory is not fully understood. Some previous cancer-related cognitive impairment research is limited by heterogeneous populations, small samples, lack of prechemotherapy and longitudinal assessments, use of normative data, and lack of generalizability. We addressed these limitations in a large prospective, longitudinal, nationwide study. Patients and Methods Patients with breast cancer from community oncology clinics and age-matched noncancer controls completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) at prechemotherapy and postchemotherapy and at a 6-month follow-up as an a priori exploratory aim. Longitudinal models compared FACT-Cog scores between patients and controls at the three assessments and adjusted for age, education, race, menopausal status, and baseline reading ability, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. A minimal clinically important difference cutoff determined percentages of impairment over time. Results Of patients, 581 patients with breast cancer (mean age, 53 years; 48% anthracycline-based regimens) and 364 controls (mean age, 53 years) were assessed. Patients reported significantly greater cognitive difficulties on the FACT-Cog total score and four subscales from prechemotherapy to postchemotherapy compared with controls as well as from prechemotherapy to 6-month follow-up (all P < .001). Increased baseline anxiety, depression, and decreased cognitive reserve were significantly associated with lower FACT-Cog total scores. Treatment regimen, hormone, or radiation therapy was not significantly associated with FACT-Cog total scores in patients from postchemotherapy to 6-month follow-up. Patients were more likely to report a clinically significant decline in self-reported cognitive function than were controls from prechemotherapy to postchemotherapy (45.2% v 10.4%) and from prechemotherapy to 6-month follow-up (36.5% v 13.6%). Conclusion Patients with breast cancer who were treated in community oncology clinics report substantially more cognitive difficulties up to 6 months after treatment with chemotherapy than do age-matched noncancer controls.


Author(s):  
Blanca Rodríguez Martín ◽  
Eduardo José Fernández Rodríguez ◽  
María Isabel Rihuete Galve ◽  
Juan Jesús Cruz Hernández

Background: Oncology patients experience a large number of symptoms and, those referring to cognitive performance has an ever-increasing importance in clinical practice, due to the increase in survival rates and interest in the patient’s quality of life. The studies reviewed showed that chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment might occur in 15 and 50% of oncology patients. The main objective of this research was to study the impact of chemotherapy on the cognitive function of patients with locoregional breast cancer. Method: Analytical, prospective, longitudinal study using three measures, unifactorial intrasubject design, non-probability, and random selection sampling. The sample comprised women newly diagnosed with locoregional breast cancer in stages I, II, IIIA who received chemotherapy at the University Hospital of Salamanca (Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca), randomly selected for three years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, HAD); quality of life (QLQ-BR23 scale) and the following cognitive variables were assessed—processing speed, attention, memory, and executive functions (subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale and the Trail Making Test). Results: The final sample size included 151 participants; 23 were excluded. A decline in cognitive performance was observed in patients, which did not completely recover two months after chemotherapy was completed. Additionally, worse cognitive performance was observed in patients with anxious or depressive symptoms. There was a negative impact on the quality of life. Conclusion: Chemotherapy had an impact on the cognitive performance of oncology patients in most cognitive domains studied.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Gates ◽  
Haryana Dhillon ◽  
Karla Gough ◽  
Carlene Wilson ◽  
Eliza Hawkes ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a recognised adverse consequence of cancer and its treatment. This qualitative sub-study was undertaken as part of a larger prospective longitudinal study in which recruitment and retention were very high. The aim was to gain an understanding of participants reasons for ongoing participation, at a time of heightened stress related to a new diagnosis of aggressive lymphoma and the rapid commencement of treatment. Methods This qualitative descriptive sub-study included semi-structured interviews with twenty-seven participants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and a thematic descriptive approach used to analyse the data. Results Twenty-seven interviews were completed. Four themes described participants’ motivation to consent and continue with the study. These included ease of participation, personal values, self-help, and valued additional support. Participants understood the requirements of the study, and data collection occurring during hospital visits was perceived to be convenient. Interviewees confirmed the study fulfilled desire to ‘help others’. Although testing was intense and challenging, it provided feedback on current functioning and was described by some as a ‘welcome distraction’ and enjoyable. Finally, interaction with the study nurse was perceived as an additional beneficial oversight and support. Conclusion Achieving sustained participation in a prospective study with patients undergoing treatment is facilitated where the logistical demands of data collection are minimised; a clinician from the service is included; the tasks are seen as inherently interesting; and care is taken to provide empathic support throughout.


2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Lerche ◽  
Isabel Wurster ◽  
Benjamin Röben ◽  
Gerrit Machetanz ◽  
Milan Zimmermann ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate the evolution of cognitive impairment in relation to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles of amyloid-β (Aβ), total-Tau and phosphorylated-Tau in Parkinson’s disease (PD).MethodsProspective, longitudinal, observational study up to 10 years with follow-up every 2  years. We assessed CSF profiles in 415 patients with sporadic PD (median age 66; 63% men) and 142 healthy controls (median age 62; 43% men).ResultsPatients with PD with low CSF Aβ1–42 levels at baseline were more often cognitively impaired than patients with intermediate and high Aβ1–42 levels. Sixty-seven per cent of the patients with low Aβ1–42 levels at baseline and normal cognition developed cognitive impairment during follow-up, compared with 41% and 37% of patients having intermediate and high CSF Aβ1–42 levels. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression revealed that patients with low CSF Aβ1–42 levels at baseline developed cognitive impairment more frequently and earlier during follow-up.ConclusionWe conclude that in patients with sporadic PD, low levels of Aβ1–42 are associated with a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment earlier in the disease process at least in a subgroup of patients.


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