Catalan researchers identify inflammatory markers related to breast cancer prognosis

Researchers from the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) have identified inflammatory markers related to the prognosis of breast cancer. The study, in collaboration with the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) and published British Journal of Cancerhas related the levels of certain inflammatory molecules to mortality in patients with breast cancer

It is tracta d’un prospective treball that analyzes the association between the levels of various markers of inflammation in blood, measurements in 1,538 gifts Of many countries that rebessin a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the long-term survival of the dead patients. It’s a collaborative project which investigates the relationships between diet, nutrition, lifestyle, environmental factors and the incidence of cancer and other chronic diseases in Europe.

Contrary to one acute inflammationLike that caused by an injury or an infection, chronic inflammation refers to a state of general inflammation of low intensity that is maintained over time. This type of inflammation is associated with diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction or cancer, in order to favor tumor progression and metastasis.

Since the relationship between these inflammatory processes and breast cancer is not entirely clear, it is known that inflammation can be promoted by excess weight, while physical activity exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. This state of chronic inflammation has been proposed as a factor that could influence not only the appearance of breast cancer, but also the prognosis of a cop establishing the diagnosis.

Chronic inflammation may play an important role

For one thing, the levels in the blood of a number of cytokines, molecules related to inflammation, have been quantified from various sources outside the diagnosis. After a follow-up of 7 years, the risk of survival and mortality due to breast cancer or for other reasons due to the levels in the blood of these molecules.

The results have shown that elevated levels of some cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), are associated with lower survival, both a greater impact on the gifts at a stage after menopause at the time of diagnosis.

This discovery supports the hypothesis that chronic inflammation It may play an important role in the progression of breast cancer, as researchers underline the importance of other studies that collect and analyze blood samples present at different times after the diagnosis of cancer. Furthermore, it is essential that these studies have a sufficient representation of all breast cancer subtypes to be able to establish more specific conclusions in relation to these biological mechanisms.