Abstract 603: Immune response to the influenza vaccination and heart rate variability in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cancer treatment dysregulates immune function. These effects can persist long after the cessation of therapy and may diminish the immune system's ability to effectively mount an adequate immune response. Latent herpesvirus reactivation may mark a poor immune response to the influenza vaccination. Cancer treatment can also cause adverse effects on cardiac autonomic function as assessed by heart-rate variability (HRV), which is associated with higher morbidity and decreased survival in patients with cancer. Objective: To determine immune response to seasonal influenza vaccination as measured by human cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibody titers and HRV in breast cancer survivors treated with radiation relative to healthy aged-matched controls. Methods: Serum samples for 13 breast cancer survivors within the first year of post-treatment and 13 healthy age-matched controls (mean age 44.7 years) were assayed for CMV IgG antibody titers and heart-rate variability was assessed using MindWare technologies. Group differences between cancer survivors versus healthy individuals were estimated using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and race. Results: One-way ANCOVA modeling showed that breast cancer survivors treated with radiation had significantly higher antibody titers to CMV relative to age-matched healthy controls (F = 9.15 ; p <.01). While heart rate did not differ among the two groups (F = .36 ; p = .56), high frequency values were significantly lower in breast cancer survivors relative to the healthy controls (HF: F = 10.40 ; p <. 01). Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors manifested a dampened immune response to influenza vaccination and cardiovascular imbalance compared to healthy age-matched controls. These findings have important implications for long-term treatment outcomes. Citation Format: Annina Seiler, Angie S. LeRoy, Christopher P. Fagundes. Immune response to the influenza vaccination and heart rate variability in breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 603.