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Elevated C-Reactive Protein and Subsequent Patient-Reported Cognitive Problems in Older Breast Cancer Survivors: The
Judith E Carroll1,2, Zev M Nakamura3, Brent J Small4
1Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Summary
Chronic inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), may contribute to cognitive decline in older breast cancer survivors. Higher CRP levels were linked to poorer cognition, suggesting CRP testing
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Cognitive impairment is a significant concern for older adults, particularly cancer survivors.
- Chronic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), is implicated in various age-related conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and cognitive function in older breast cancer survivors.
- To compare these relationships between breast cancer survivors and age-matched non-cancer controls.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of women aged 60+ years, including newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors (stage 0-III) and controls.
- Cognitive function assessed using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function and neuropsychological tests over 60 months.
- Mixed linear and random effect-lagged fluctuation models analyzed C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and their impact on subsequent cognition.
Main Results:
- Breast cancer survivors exhibited significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared to controls at multiple time points.
- Elevated CRP levels predicted diminished self-reported cognition in survivors, an effect not observed in controls.
- Survivors with higher CRP levels showed lower cognitive scores, with significant differences noted in specific neuropsychological tests like Trails B.
Conclusions:
- Longitudinal data suggest chronic inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), may contribute to cognitive difficulties in older breast cancer survivors.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) testing may hold clinical utility in monitoring and managing cognitive health during cancer survivorship care.
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