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Investigating the utility of serum cytokine measurements in a multi-institutional cancer anorexia/weight loss trial

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Abstract

Background

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome. However, previous smaller studies have yielded conflicting results as to whether circulating, serum concentrations of these cytokines are in fact elevated. As the translational component of a large multi-institutional trial, this study assessed the clinical value of serum concentrations of these cytokines in patients with this syndrome.

Methods

Patients with incurable cancer with anorexia and/or weight loss were eligible. All underwent weekly weight measurements and appetite assessment for the first month and then monthly assessments thereafter. Serum was obtained at baseline and at 1 month, and all three cytokines were measured with the Immunolite assay.

Results

A total of 118 patients participated. At baseline, 99%, 54%, and 47% of patients’ samples had undetectable IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6, respectively. Similar results were obtained at 1 month. No correlations were observed between serum cytokine concentrations and changes in weight or appetite. Baseline serum IL-6 predicted a diminished survival but only after adjustment for age and cancer site.

Conclusion

Serum concentrations of IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6, as measured in this study, provide data of limited clinical value for patients with the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA

    Aminah Jatoi, Charles L. Loprinzi, Jeff A. Sloan, Paul J. Novotny & George G. Klee

  2. Carle Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

    James Egner

  3. Cancer Center of Kansas—Medical Arts Tower, Wichita, KS 67214-3882, USA

    Shaker R. Dakhil

  4. Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium Community Clinical Oncology Program, Omaha, NE 68106, USA

    James A. Mailliard

  5. Duluth Community Clinical Oncology Program, Duluth, MN 55805, USA

    James E. Krook

Authors
  1. Aminah Jatoi
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  2. James Egner
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  3. Charles L. Loprinzi
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  4. Jeff A. Sloan
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  5. Paul J. Novotny
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  6. Shaker R. Dakhil
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  7. James A. Mailliard
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  8. George G. Klee
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  9. James E. Krook
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aminah Jatoi.

Additional information

This study was conducted as a collaborative trial of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and Mayo Clinic, and was supported in part by Public Health Service grants: CA-25224, CA-37404, CA-15083, CA-63826, CA- 63849, CA-35269, CA-35195, CA-35113, CA-60276, CA-52352, CA-35101, CA-35103, CA-63848, CA-35272, and CA-37417.

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Jatoi, A., Egner, J., Loprinzi, C.L. et al. Investigating the utility of serum cytokine measurements in a multi-institutional cancer anorexia/weight loss trial. Support Care Cancer 12, 640–644 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0624-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0624-3

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