P-0205 - Cytokines, Depression and Anxiety in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Different Stages of the Antitumor Therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in the world. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent psychological disorders in patients with CRC. This study aimed to investigate whether serum cytokine levels correlate with anxiety and depression in colorectal cancer patients in different stages of the antitumor therapy. Methods: A total of 100 subjects were divided in 5 groups. Group 1: Healthy volunteers free of any psychiatric or immune system disease (n = 20); Group 2: Patients with colorectal cancer who did not undergo surgical resection of tumor (n = 20); Group 3: Patients who underwent surgical resection and who did not start adjuvant therapy (n = 20); Group 4: Patients undergoing chemotherapy (for about 3 months) (n = 20); Group 5: Patients who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy regimen (about 6 months after the end of treatment) (n = 20). Depression and anxiety were analyzed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-&agr; and TGF-&bgr; were measured by CBA. Results: Clinically relevant levels of anxiety and/or depression were found in all CRC patients in different stages of the antitumor therapy. Serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL- 1, IL- 6, IL- 8 and TNF- &agr; were increased in CRC patients in pre and postoperative stages. However, these levels were reduced during and after chemotherapy. Furthermore, we found decreased levels of IL-10 in serum of patients in CRC patients in pre and postoperative stage. By analyzing the correlation between HADS scores and serum cytokine levels, we observed a positive association of anxiety and/or depression with concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-&agr; and negative compared to levels serum IL-10 in different stages of the antitumor therapy. Conclusion: These results indicate a link between serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anxiety and depression in CRC patients, suggesting that cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of these comorbidities.