A prospective evaluation of clinical and genetic predictors of weight changes in breast cancer survivors

Factors associated with weight gain in pre- and post-menopausal women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer

PURPOSE

Weight gain after breast cancer poses health risks. We aimed to identify factors associated with weight gain during adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET).

METHODS

Women initiating AET enrolled in a prospective cohort. Participants completed FACT-ES plus PROMIS pain interference, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance and physical function measures at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. Treatment-emergent symptoms were defined as changes in scores in the direction indicative of worsening symptoms that exceeded the minimal important difference at 3 and/or 6 months compared to baseline. We used logistic regression to evaluate associations of clinicodemographic features and treatment-emergent symptoms with clinically significant weight gain over 60 months (defined as ≥ 5% compared to baseline) in pre- and post-menopausal participants.

RESULTS

Of 309 participants, 99 (32%) were pre-menopausal. The 60 months cumulative incidence of clinically significant weight gain was greater in pre- than post-menopausal participants (67% vs 43%, p < 0.001). Among pre-menopausal participants, treatment-emergent pain interference (OR 2.49), aromatase inhibitor receipt (OR 2.8), mastectomy, (OR 2.06) and White race (OR 7.13) were associated with weight gain. Among post-menopausal participants, treatment-emergent endocrine symptoms (OR 2.86), higher stage (OR 2.25) and White race (OR 2.29) were associated with weight gain while treatment-emergent physical function decline (OR 0.30) was associated with lower likelihood of weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight gain during AET is common, especially for pre-menopausal women. Clinicodemographic features and early treatment-emergent symptoms may identify at risk individuals.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Patients at risk for weight gain can be identified early during AET.

CLINICAL TRIALS

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT01937052, registered September 3, 2013.

Implication of Irisin in Different Types of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cancer is a set of diseases characterized by several hallmark properties, such as increased angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The increased angiogenic activity constantly supplies the tumors with nutrients and a plethora of cytokines to ensure cell survival. Along these cytokines is a newly discovered protein, called irisin, which is released into the circulation after physical exercise. Irisin is the product of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) proteolytic cleavage. Recently it has been the topic of investigation in several types of cancer. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate its implication in different types of cancer. Our results suggest that irisin expression is decreased in cancer patients, thus it can be used as a valid biomarker for the diagnosis of several types of cancer. In addition, our results indicate that irisin may have an important role in tumor progression and metastasis since it is involved in multiple signaling pathways that promote cell proliferation and migration.

Insulin resistance and weight gain in women treated for early stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

Both weight gain and insulin resistance have been associated with poorer prognosis in women receiving adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, however, interactions between weight gain and insulin resistance have not been explored longitudinally throughout the breast cancer treatment continuum.

METHODS

One hundred non-diabetic women with early stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and /or hormonal therapy were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Metrics of weight, body composition (BMI, waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR)), and cardiometabolic health (fasting insulin, glucose and triglycerides) were obtained prior to adjuvant therapy (baseline) and repeated 6, 12, and 24 months post-diagnosis. Insulin resistance was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 95 participants. Compared to baseline, body weight was significantly higher at the 12-month time-point (75.3 ± 15.7 vs. 76.2 ± 16.7, p = 0.03), however there was no difference in waist circumference (p = 0.96) or WHR (p = 0.52). HOMA-IR tended to increase 6 months after diagnosis (2.36 ± 2.17 vs. 2.70 ± 2.83, p = 0.06), largely driven by adverse responses in patients treated with chemotherapy (mean change + 0.53 (chemotherapy) vs - 0.64 (no chemotherapy), p = 0.005). Despite 12-month weight gain, the 6-month increase in HOMA-IR was fully abrogated 12 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer patients experience small but significant weight gain in the year following diagnosis, and those who receive chemotherapy experience significant short-term metabolic impairments suggestive of insulin resistance. While the acute insulin resistance appears to attenuate over time, the long-term ramifications are unclear and may help explain weight gain in this population.

The Head-to-Toe Hormone: Leptin as an Extensive Modulator of Physiologic Systems

Leptin is a well-known hunger-sensing peptide hormone. The role of leptin in weight gain and metabolic homeostasis has been explored for the past two decades. In this review, we have tried to shed light upon the impact of leptin signaling on health and diseases. At low or moderate levels, this peptide hormone supports physiological roles, but at chronically higher doses exhibits detrimental effects on various systems. The untoward effects we observe with chronically higher levels of leptin are due to their receptor-mediated effect or due to leptin resistance and are not well studied. This review will help us in understanding the non-anorexic roles of leptin, including their contribution to the metabolism of various systems and inflammation. We will be able to get an alternative perspective regarding the physiological and pathological roles of this mysterious peptide hormone.

Postmenopausal estrogen receptor positive breast cancer and obesity associated gene variants

Obesity is one of the most important health risks in postmenopausal women. Molecular pathways that are connected with obesity are believed to interact with the pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC). The aim of this research was to study the polymorphisms of two obesity-associated genes ADIPOQ and FTO that are also related to the pathogenesis of BC. Obesity-associated gene polymorphisms ADIPOQ rs1501299 and rs2241766, and FTO rs1477196, rs7206790, rs8047395, and rs9939609 were studied in 101 Turkish postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive BC patients and 100 healthy control individuals. ADIPOQ rs1501299 was detected to be associated with protection against BC. The ADIPOQ rs1501299 TT genotype, the rs2241766 GT genotype and the G allele were found to be significantly higher in the control group. In addition, ADIPOQ rs1501299 polymorphism was protective in the recessive model and rs2241766 polymorphism was protective in the dominant model. While none of the FTO gene polymorphisms were found to be associated with BC, the frequencies of rs9939609 A allele and rs7206790 G allele were correlated with body mass index (BMI) in BC patients. ADIPOQ rs1501299 TT genotype, rs2241766 GT genotype, and G allele might be protective against BC in the Turkish population but this conclusion needs to be further verified.

Effects of supervised exercise during adjuvant endocrine therapy in overweight or obese patients with breast cancer: The I-MOVE study

Background

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) in patients with breast cancer (BC) increases the risk of becoming less physically active. Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk of treatment-related side effects and mortality. This study investigated whether supervised exercise increased the proportion of patients adhering to the national physical activity (PA) guideline during adjuvant ET in overweight or obese BC patients.

Methods

This multicentre single-arm clinical trial included patients with BC participating in a 12-week supervised exercise intervention. An accelerometer measured moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) at baseline (T0), after 12 (T1) and 26 weeks (T2). The primary endpoint was change in the proportion of patients with weekly ≥150 min of MVPA at T1 compared to T0. Secondary endpoints were adherence to PA guideline at T2, metabolic syndrome (MetS), body composition, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and BC-specific functioning and symptoms, self-reported PA, self-efficacy, exercise motivation and satisfaction with life.

Results

141 patients with a median age of 61 years and a mean BMI of 31.3 participated. Adherence to the PA guideline increased from 38.3% at T0, to 40.4% at T1 (p = .112) and 44.7% at T2 (p = .003). MetS, body composition, HRQoL, BC-specific functioning and symptoms (i.e. fatigue, dyspnoea), self-reported PA, self-efficacy, exercise motivation and satisfaction with life improved significantly over time.

Conclusions

Supervised exercise increased the proportion of BC patients adhering to the PA guideline over time. Furthermore, MetS, body composition, HRQoL and symptoms improved. Our findings highlight the clinical relevance of supervised exercise during ET in overweight BC patients.

Clinical trial information

(NCT02424292).

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Overweight breast cancer patients on endocrine therapy can be motivated for supervised exercise.

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Supervised exercise increases adherence to the physical activity guideline.

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Metabolic syndrome and quality of life improved due to our intervention.

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Participation in supervised exercise induces persistent clinical improvements.

Unhealthy behaviors after breast cancer: Capitalizing on a teachable moment to promote lifestyle improvements

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of unhealthy behaviors among survivors of early-stage breast cancer.

METHODS

Women (n = 9556) from the CANcer TOxicity cohort (NCT01993498) were included. Physical activity (PA), tobacco and alcohol consumption, and body mass index were assessed at diagnosis and at years 1 and 2 after diagnosis. A behavior was defined as unhealthy if patients failed to meet PA recommendations (≥10 metabolic equivalent task hours per week), reduce/quit tobacco, or decrease alcohol consumption to less than daily, or if they gained substantial weight over time. Multivariable-adjusted generalized estimating equations explored associations with unhealthy behaviors.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, 41.7% of patients were inactive, 18.2% currently used tobacco, 14.6% consumed alcohol daily, and 48.9% were overweight or obese. At years 1 and 2, unhealthy PA behavior was reported among 37.0% and 35.6% of patients, respectively, unhealthy tobacco use behavior was reported among 11.4% and 9.5%, respectively, and unhealthy alcohol behavior was reported among 13.1% and 12.6%, respectively. In comparison with the previous assessment, 9.4% and 5.9% of underweight and normal-weight patients had transitioned to the overweight or obese category at years 1 and 2, respectively, and 15.4% and 16.2% of overweight and obese patients had gained ≥5% of their weight at years 1 and 2, respectively. One in 3 current tobacco smokers and 1 in 10 daily alcohol users reported improved behaviors after diagnosis. Older women (5-year increment) were more likely to be inactive (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.05) and report unhealthy alcohol behavior (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.23-1.33) but were less likely to engage in unhealthy tobacco use (aOR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.78-0.85). Being at risk for depression (vs not being at risk for depression) was associated with reduced odds of unhealthy tobacco use (aOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46-0.97) and with a higher likelihood of unhealthy alcohol behavior (aOR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.14-2.19). Women with a college education (vs a primary school education) less frequently reported an unhealthy PA behavior (aOR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.51-0.73) and were more likely to report unhealthy alcohol behavior (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.37-2.49). Receipt of chemotherapy (vs not receiving chemotherapy) was associated with higher odds of gaining weight (aOR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.23-1.87) among those who were overweight or obese at diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of women were adherent to healthy lifestyle behaviors at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis, but a significant subset was nonadherent. Unhealthy behaviors tended to persist after the breast cancer diagnosis, having varying clinical, psychological, sociodemographic, and treatment-related determinants. This study will inform more targeted interventions to promote optimal health.

Effectiveness of a Global Multidisciplinary Supportive and Educational Intervention in Thermal Resort on Anthropometric and Biological Parameters, and the Disease-Free Survival after Breast Cancer Treatment Completion (PACThe)

A growing knowledge highlights the strong benefit of regular physical activity in the management of breast cancer patients, but few studies have considered biological parameters in their outcomes. In the prospective randomised trial after breast cancer treatment completion “PACThe,” we determined the effects of physical activity and nutritional intervention on the biological and anthropometric status of patients after one year of follow-up, and clarified the link between biomarkers at allocation and disease-free survival. 113 patients from the population of the “PACThe” study (n = 251) were analysed for biological parameters. Patients were randomized after chemotherapy in two arms: the intervention “SPA” receiving a 2-week session of physical training, dietary education, and physiotherapy (n = 57), and the control “CTR” (n = 56). Diet questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and blood parameters were determined at allocation and one year later. Survival and recurrence were checked over 7 years. Data were considered as a function of BMI, i.e., ≤25 for normal, 25–30 for overweight, and >30 for obese patients. At allocation, the large standard deviation for nutrient-intake values reflected an unbalanced diet for some patients in the three groups. At one-year follow-up, we noticed an increase in glucose (p < 10⁻⁶), insulin (p < 10⁻⁷), and adiponectin (p < 0.022) plasma levels for both intervention arms, which were more accentuated for the >30 groups. Using the Cox model, we demonstrated that the highest testosterone plasma values were linked to an increase of the recurrence risk (HR [CI–95%] = 5.06 [1.66–15.41]; p=0.004). One-year after a global multidisciplinary supportive and educational intervention, we found few anthropometric and biological changes, mainly related to the patient's initial BMI. We highlighted the importance of plasma testosterone in the evaluation of patient's recurrence risk. Future studies would help better understand the mechanisms by which such multidisciplinary interventions could interact with breast cancer recurrence and define the most effective modalities.

Body mass index trends and quality of life from breast cancer diagnosis through seven years’ survivorship

BACKGROUND

Weight gain is a potential negative outcome of breast-cancer treatment, occurring in 50%-to-96% of breast-cancer patients, although the amount of weight gain is inconsistently reported in the literature. Research has also shown a relationship between overweight/obesity and breast-cancer mortality. Correspondingly, weight management is a self-care approach known to benefit quality of life (QOL). These research questions and analysis add to existing literature by examining participants’ body mass index (BMI) trend and its relationship with QOL indicators over seven years.

AIM

To examine: (1) BMI trends among breast cancer survivors; and (2) The trends’ relationship to QOL indicators over seven years.

METHODS

During the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Project, 378 patients’ weight and height were recorded by nurses prior to or just after beginning breast cancer treatment and repeated at quarterly-to-semiannual intervals over seven years. Additionally, participants annually completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a valid and reliable tool assessing QOL and health concepts, including physical function, pain, and emotional well-being. BMI trends, change in BMI, and change in SF-36 subscales over seven years were calculated using a random-intercept repeated-measures regression. Patients were placed into BMI categories at each time point: Normal, Overweight and Obese. As patients’ weights changed, they were categorized accordingly.

RESULTS

During the seven-year study and while controlling for age and residence, participants gained an average of 0.3534 kg/m² (P = 0.0009). This amount remained fairly consistent across BMI categories with those in the normal-weight category (n = 134) gaining 0.4546 kg/m² (P = 0.0003); Overweight (n = 190) gaining 0.2985 kg/m² (P = 0.0123); and obese (n = 199) gaining 0.3147 kg/m², (P = 0.0649). Age (under or over 55) and region (metro/micro vs small/rural) were significantly associated with BMI increase in both the normal and obese categories. There were statistically significant (P < 0.0100) changes in five of the eight SF-36 domains; however, the directions of change were different and somewhat divergent from that hypothesized. Controlling for age and region, these five were statistically significant, so there were no change or differences between the micropolitan/metropolitan and small town/rural groups.

CONCLUSION

Although only modest increases in mean BMI were observed, mean BMI change was associated with selected QOL indicators, suggesting the continued need for self-care emphasis during breast cancer survivorship.

Changes in cardiovascular disease risk and risk factors among women with and without breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is an important health concern among survivors of breast cancer. However, few studies to date have examined whether trajectories of CVD risk and major risk factors are worse among women with a breast cancer diagnosis compared with those without.

METHODS

Changes in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and 10-year CVD risk were compared between women with (813 women) and without (1049 women) an incident breast cancer diagnosis while they were enrolled in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Sister Study cohort. Blood pressure and adiposity measures were collected by trained examiners at an enrollment visit (≥1 year before breast cancer diagnosis) and a second home visit 4 to 11 years later (≥1 year after breast cancer diagnosis). The non-laboratory-based Framingham risk score, a measure of 10-year general CVD risk, was calculated at both the enrollment and second visits. All analyses were stratified by menopausal status at the time of enrollment.

RESULTS

Women who were premenopausal at the time of enrollment experienced moderate increases in weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and CVD risk over the study period. Those who were postmenopausal at the time of enrollment demonstrated little change in weight, but were found to have increases in waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and CVD risk. In both groups, changes over time did not differ significantly according to breast cancer status. Neither chemotherapy nor endocrine therapy were found to be associated with greater increases in CVD risk or risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study cohort, changes over time in CVD risk, adiposity measures, and blood pressure were similar between women who developed an incident breast cancer and those who did not.

Novel Strategies on Personalized Medicine for Breast Cancer Treatment: An Update

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women worldwide. With breast cancer patients and survivors being reported to experience a repertoire of symptoms that are detrimental to their quality of life, the development of breast cancer treatment strategies that are effective with minimal side effects is therefore required. Personalized medicine, the treatment process that is tailored to the individual needs of each patient, is recently gaining increasing attention for its prospect in the development of effective cancer treatment regimens. Indeed, recent studies have identified a number of genes and molecules that may be used as biomarkers for predicting drug response and severity of common cancer-associated symptoms. These would provide useful clues not only for the determination of the optimal drug choice/dosage to be used in personalized treatment, but also for the identification of gene or molecular targets for the development of novel symptom management strategies, which ultimately would lead to the development of more personalized therapies for effective cancer treatment. In this article, recent studies that would provide potential new options for personalized therapies for breast cancer patients and survivors are reviewed. We suggest novel strategies, including the optimization of drug choice/dosage and the identification of genetic changes that are associated with cancer symptom occurrence and severity, which may help in enhancing the effectiveness and acceptability of the currently available cancer therapies.