Differential associations of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines with depression severity from noncancer status to breast cancer course and subsequent chemotherapy

Yi-Ping Weng,Vincent Chin-Hung Chen,Ya-Ting Hsu,Hsing-Ying Ho,Jun-Cheng Weng,Han-Pin Hsaio,Yi-Lung Chen,Ching-Chuan Hsieh,Bor-Show Tzang,Wen-Ke Wang

doi:10.1186/s12885-020-07181-w

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we examined the differential associations of various proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines with depression severity from the development of breast cancer to subsequent chemotherapy treatment.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 116 women: 29 controls without cancer, 55 patients with breast cancer who were not receiving chemotherapy, and 32 patients with breast cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. Blood samples were assayed to evaluate serum levels of the following cytokines: interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-12 (p70), IL-1β, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-6, and IL-17A. Depression severity was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire.ResultsAfter adjustment for sociodemographics, consistent patterns of the association between cytokine and depression were noted in the different groups. No significant associations were observed in the controls. Inverse associations were observed between cytokines levels and depression severity in patients with breast cancer who were not receiving chemotherapy, whereas positive associations were noted in patients with breast cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. Specific differential relationships between IL-5 levels and depression severity were found between patients with breast cancer who were receiving and not receiving chemotherapy.ConclusionsOur study revealed differential relationships between cytokine levels and depression severity with the development of cancer. Immunostimulation and immunosuppression in breast cancer and cancer treatment may account for the differential responses with the development of breast cancer.

Highlights

In this study, we examined the differential associations of various proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines with depression severity from the development of breast cancer to subsequent chemotherapy treatment
In the group of patients with breast cancer who were not receiving chemotherapy, 78.18% of blood samples were obtained within 1 month after the patients were diagnosed as having breast cancer, and 70.37% of blood samples were collected before the patients underwent surgery for tumor removal
Based on the univariate analysis of the general linear model (GLM), we found significant differences in the years of education, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IFNγ, TNFα, IL-10, and IL-13), and depression severity among the groups

Summary

Introduction

We examined the differential associations of various proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines with depression severity from the development of breast cancer to subsequent chemotherapy treatment. Several studies have indicated that cytokines are the major regulators in the development of breast cancer and have demonstrated how they affect tumor cell behavior or reprogram the tumor niche through specific signaling pathways [4]. Studies have reported the existence of interleukin (IL)-1 family, IL-6, IL-11, IL-18, and interferons (IFNs) within tumor microenvironments and in metastatic sites [5]. Some of these cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-11, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, stimulate breast cancer proliferation and invasion, whereas other cytokines such as IL12p70, IL-18, and IFNs exert opposite effects on breast cancer proliferation or invasion [6]. Upregulated T helper 17 cells are positively correlated with IL-17 and are associated with tumor aggressiveness through the induction of angiogenic factors in patients with breast cancer

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