Biomarkers and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents During Maintenance Therapy for Leukemia
Mary C Hooke1, Michelle A Mathiason1, Alicia S Kunin-Batson1
1University of Minnesota.
Insights
Biomarkers of inflammation, like interleukin-8 (IL-8), improved alongside cognitive function in children undergoing acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) maintenance therapy. Oxidative stress markers may also indicate cognitive issues in these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Children undergoing maintenance therapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) may experience cognitive dysfunction.
- Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in neurological complications.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers offer a direct measure of the central nervous system environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between CSF biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation and cognitive function in children on ALL maintenance therapy.
- To identify potential biomarkers for monitoring cognitive health during ALL treatment.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 30 children (aged 4-17 years) receiving ALL maintenance therapy was studied.
- CSF levels of F2-isoprostane (F2-ISoP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured.
- Cognitive function was assessed using standardized tests and parent reports during maintenance therapy.
Main Results:
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels decreased, while parent-reported cognitive function improved during maintenance therapy.
- Higher IL-8 levels correlated with better parent-reported cognitive function.
- Elevated F2-isoprostane (F2-ISoP) levels were associated with poorer performance on the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8) may serve as a biomarker for cognitive improvement during ALL treatment.
- F2-isoprostane (F2-ISoP) shows potential as a biomarker for cognitive dysfunction in pediatric ALL patients.
- Further research is warranted to validate these biomarkers for clinical use in managing cognitive health in children with ALL.
Objectives:
To explore the relationship between biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflmmation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cognitive function in children receiving maintenance therapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
Sample & Setting:
30 participants aged 4-17 years receiving ALL maintenance therapy at two pediatric cancer centers in the United States.
Methods & Variables:
F2-isoprostane (F2-ISoP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were evaluated in CSF samples, and cognitive function measures were completed during the first and last cycles of ALL maintenance. The Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (Flanker) and Dimensional Change Card Sort were completed during the last cycle.
Results:
During maintenance therapy, IL-8 decreased, and parent reports of children's cognitive function improved. Higher IL-8 was associated with better parent reports of children's cognitive function at each timepoint. Higher F2-ISoP levels were associated with lower Flanker scores.
Implications For Nursing:
F2-ISoP may be a useful biomarker in evaluating cognitive dysfunction in children with ALL and merits further investigation.
