IDIBELL Study: Chronic inflammation and its impact on breast cancer

The Bellwitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL) conducted a study on the relationship between cases of chronic inflammation and breast cancer in collaboration with the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). .

Chronic inflammation is a type of phlegm (usually low intensity) that persists for a long period of time and is usually associated with other pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney dysfunction. These inflammations have previously been shown to promote tumor progression and metastasis in cancer patients, but the relationship between these inflammations and the occurrence of breast cancer remains to be elucidated.

To further explore this issue, the three organizations collaborated to study to determine the influence of various inflammatory markers in the blood on the occurrence of breast cancer and its prognosis after diagnosis. The analysis also aimed to find out whether there was a link between long-term survival and the presence or absence of this inflammation.

Inflammation in the blood affects chances of survival

A study recently published in the journal British Journal of Cancer, worked with a group of 1538 women from eight European countries diagnosed with breast cancer.. First, blood samples from these patients were analyzed before diagnosis to quantify levels of cytokines (molecules associated with inflammation). Following this first result, Periodic monitoring of the presence of this molecule in the blood of patients is carried out for an average of seven years..

Based on the level of cytokines in the blood, the risk of mortality and survival time for breast cancer were determined. The study established a link between the increased presence of certain types of cytokines in the blood and decreased survival. The more cytokines, the higher the risk of mortality

. This association This is even more pronounced in cases of breast cancer diagnosed in postmenopausal women..

Research findings

As explained Dr. Carlota CastroResearcher at IDIBELL and ICO and first author of the study, “Elevations of these biomarkers in the blood lead to increased mortality worldwide.” (that is, for any reason other than cancer). Additionally, the study concluded that increased levels of a certain type of cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), are directly associated with increased breast cancer mortality.

From analysis of blood samples from women participating in the study, researchers determined that “Women who have higher levels of cytokines, especially the types IL-6, IL-10 and TNFα, increase the risk of mortality from any cause by 20–40%.”according to Dr. Castro.

The importance of continuing research

Now, although this discovery supports the original hypothesis that chronic inflammation may play an important role in the development of breast cancer, the study’s findings are not enough to support the theory since only samples from 1,500 women were analyzed. very small group. Based on this, the researchers emphasized the importance of continuing research in this area to draw more specific conclusions regarding this and all cancer subtypes. Thus, to advance research, several studies that, like this one, analyze blood samples collected both before and after cancer diagnosis need to be promoted.