Serum Levels of BDNF in Patients with Adenoma and Colorectal Cancer

Neurturin gene IVSI-663 polymorphism but not RET variants is associated with increased risk for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Gene polymorphisms of rearranged during transfection (RET) and its ligand neurturin (NRTN) are one of the focus of studies in the investigation of cancer pathogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible risk of breast cancer between RET G691S, L769L, S904S, and NRTN IVSI-663 polymorphisms and to evaluate serum NRTN, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) levels.

METHODS

The study consists of 110 breast cancer patients and 110 controls. Polymorphisms were detected by the polymerase chain reaction method from study groups whole blood.

RESULTS

The NRTN IVSI-663 polymorphism in G allele has been found to be 1.54 fold increased the risk of breast cancer, however AA genotype has been found 0.43 fold decreased the risk of breast cancer (P < .05, P < .05, respectively). Study groups showed a similar profile for RET G691S, L769L, S904S allele frequencies and genotype distributions (P > .05). In the patient group, significant increase in serum NRTN and FAK levels and decrease in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were found (P < .05, P < .05, P < .05, P < .05, respectively).

DISCUSSION

In summary that increased breast cancer risk with the G allele in NRTN gene IVSI-663 polymorphism, as well as the increased serum NRTN and FAK levels, will contribute to the diagnosis, prognosis and determination of new treatment strategies.

Elevated neopterin and decreased IL-4, BDNF levels and depression in lymphoma patients receiving R-CHOP chemotherapy

Objective

Depression is the most commonly observed psychological manifestation experienced by individuals diagnosed with cancer. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between levels of IL-4, BDNF, neopterin, and depressive symptoms in lymphoma patients receiving consecutive cycles of chemotherapy.

Methods

Newly diagnosed lymphoma patients scheduled to receive R-CHOP chemotherapy were enrolled. Effects of R-CHOP on circulatory biomarkers and depressive symptoms were assessed at three-time points [baseline assessment 7 days before the first dose of chemotherapy (TP1), interim assessment after the third cycle of chemotherapy (TP2), and follow-up assessment after the 6th cycle of chemotherapy (TP3)].

Results

Seventy lymphoma patients, with a mean age of 44.17 ± 13.67 years, were enrolled. Patients receiving R-CHOP were found significantly increased neopterin levels between given time points TP1 vs. TP2, TP1 vs. TP3, and TP2 vs. TP3 (p < 0.001). However, IL-4 and BDNF levels significantly decreased with consecutive cycles of chemotherapy (p < 0.001). On Patient Health Questionnaire assessment (PHQ-9), scores of items like loss of interest, feeling depressed, sleep problems, loss of energy, and appetite problems were found significantly affected with consecutive cycles of chemotherapy (p < 0.001). The study found weak negative correlations between IL-4, BDNF, and neopterin levels and changes in PHQ-9 scores at both TP2 and TP3, suggesting a potential inverse relationship between these markers and depression symptoms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the present study suggests a potential link between elevated neopterin levels, decreased IL-4, and BDNF levels, and the presence of depression in lymphoma patients receiving R-CHOP chemotherapy. This study provides valuable insights into understanding the emotional challenges faced by cancer patients, offering information for more personalized interventions and comprehensive support approaches within the oncology setting.

Circulating interleukin-8 and osteopontin are promising biomarkers of clinical outcomes in advanced melanoma patients treated with targeted therapy

BACKGROUND

Circulating cytokines can represent non-invasive biomarkers to improve prediction of clinical outcomes of cancer patients. Here, plasma levels of IL-8, CCL4, osteopontin, LIF and BDNF were determined at baseline (T0), after 2 months of therapy (T2) and, when feasible, at progression (TP), in 70 melanoma patients treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. The association of baseline cytokine levels with clinical response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated.

METHODS

Cytokine concentrations were measured using the xMAP technology. Their ability to discriminate between responding (Rs) and non-responding (NRs) patients was assessed by Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis. PFS and OS were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazard model was used in the univariate and multivariate analyses to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

CCL4 and LIF were undetectable in the majority of samples. The median osteopontin concentration at T0 and T2 was significantly higher in NRs than in Rs. The median T0 and T2 values of IL-8 were also higher in NRs than in Rs, although the statistical significance was not reached. No differences were detected for BDNF. In 39 Rs with matched T0, T2, and TP samples, osteopontin and IL-8 significantly decreased from T0 to T2 and rose again at TP, while BDNF levels remained unchanged. In NRs, none of the cytokines showed a significant decrease at T2. Only osteopontin demonstrated a good ability to discriminate between Rs and NRs. A high IL-8 T0 level was associated with significantly shorter PFS and OS and higher risk of progression and mortality, and remained an independent negative prognostic factor for OS in multivariate analysis. An elevated osteopontin T0 concentration was also significantly associated with worse OS and increased risk of death. Patients with high IL-8 and high osteopontin showed the lowest PFS and OS, and in multivariate analysis this cytokine combination remained independently associated with a three- to six-fold increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Circulating IL-8 and osteopontin appear useful biomarkers to refine prognosis evaluation of patients undergoing targeted therapy, and deserve attention as potential targets to improve its clinical efficacy.

Investigating the role of TGF-β and BDNF in cancer-related depression: a primary cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cancer-related depression is a well-documented condition that significantly impacts long-term quality of life. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin essential for neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity, has been implicated in various neuropsychological disorders including depression associated with cancer. Cytokines, on the other hand, play a crucial role in regulating depression, potentially by influencing BDNF expression. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a key immune regulator within the tumor microenvironment, has been found to elevate BDNF levels, establishing a link between peripheral immune responses and depression. The study aims to investigate the correlation of TGF-β and BDNF in cancer-related depression.

METHODS

This study involved a cohort of 153 gynecological patients, including 61 patients with gynecological cancer and 92 patients without cancer. Depression levels were assessed using the subscale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D), and TGF-β and BDNF plasma levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The study revealed elevated plasma TGF-β levels in patients with cancer (32.24 ± 22.93 ng/ml) compared to those without cancer (25.24 ± 19.72 ng/ml) (P = 0.046). Additionally, reduced levels of BDNF were observed in patients presenting depression symptoms (44.96 ± 41.06 pg/ml) compared to those without depression (133.5 ± 176.7 pg/ml) (P = 0.036). Importantly, a significant correlation between TGF-β and BDNF was found in patients without cancer but with depression (correlation coefficient = 0.893, **P < 0.01). Interestingly, cancer appeared to influence the association between TGF-β and BDNF in patients with depression, as evidenced by a significant difference in the correlation of TGF-β and BDNF between cancer and non-cancer groups (P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the active involvement of TGF-β and BDNF crosstalk in the context of cancer-related depression.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism Compared to the General Population: Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications

(1) Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe condition, representing the third most important cardiovascular cause of death after myocardial infarction and stroke. Despite the use of clinical pre-test probability scores, D-dimer measuring, and computer tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), PE diagnosis remains a challenge. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most important member of the neurotrophin family, which has also been shown to be involved in the physiopathology of cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and myocardial infarction. In this study, we aimed to assess the BDNF expression in patients with acute PE compared to the general population, and to also investigate its diagnostic and prognostic role. (2) Methods: We conducted a single center prospective study, which included 90 patients with PE and 55 healthy volunteers. Clinical and paraclinical parameters, together with plasma levels of BDNF, were evaluated in all patients after admission. (3) Results: The plasma levels of BDNF were significantly lower in the PE patients compared with the control group (403 vs. 644 pg/mL, p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.806 (95% CI 0.738−0.876, p < 0.001) and a cut-off value of 564 pg/mL, which associated a sensitivity of 74.4% and a specificity of 78.2% for PE. Low BDNF levels also correlated with prognostic markers of PE, such as PESI score (p = 0.023), NT-proBNP (p < 0.01), right ventricular diameter (p = 0.029), and tricuspid annular plane systolic elevation (p = 0.016). Moreover, we identified a decreased BDNF expression in patients with high-risk PE (p < 0.01), thrombolytic treatment (p = 0.01), and patients who died within 30 days (p = 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Our study revealed that plasma BNDF is significantly lower in patients with PE when compared with the general population, and may be considered as a promising biomarker in complementing the current diagnostic tools for PE. Furthermore, low levels of BDNF might also be used to predict a poor outcome of this condition.

Brain derived neurotrophic factor declines after complete curative resection in gastrointestinal cancer

Background

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin involved in neural and metabolic diseases, but it is also one of the crucial factors in cancer development and metastases. In the current study, we investigated serum BDNF concentrations in patients that underwent surgical treatment for colorectal cancer or pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Serum BDNF concentrations were measured with standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, before and on the third day after the operation, in 50 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer and 25 patients with pancreatic cancer (tumours in the head of pancreas). We compared pre- and postoperative BDNF levels, according to the subsequent TNM stage, histologic stage, lymph node involvement, neuro- or angio-invasion, and resection range.

Results

In the pancreatic cancer group, BDNF concentrations fell significantly postoperatively (p = 0.011). In patients that underwent resections, BDNF concentrations fell (p = 0.0098), but not in patients that did not undergo resections (i.e., laparotomy alone). There were significant pre- and postoperative differences in BDNF levels among patients with (p = 0.021) and without (p = 0.034) distant metastases. Significant reductions in BDNF were observed postoperatively in patients with small tumours (i.e., below the median size; p = 0.023), in patients with negative angio- or lymphatic invasion (p = 0.028, p = 0.011, respectively), and in patients with lymph node ratios above 0.17 (p = 0.043). In the colon cancer group, the serum BDNF concentrations significantly fell postoperatively in the entire group (p = 0.0076) and in subgroups of patients with or without resections (p = 0.034, p = 0.0179, respectively). Significant before-after differences were found in subgroups with angioinvasions (p = 0.050) and in those without neuroinvasions (p = 0.049). Considering the TNM stages, the postoperative BDNF concentration fell in groups with (p = 0.0218) and without (p = 0.034) distant metastases and in patients with tumours below the median size (p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that BDNF might play an important role in gastrointestinal cancer development. BDNF levels were correlated with tumour volume, and with neuro-, angio- and lymphatic invasions. In pancreatic cancer, BDNF concentrations varied according to the surgical procedure and they fell significantly after tumour resections. Thus, BDNF may serve as a potential marker of complete resections in underdiagnosed patients. However, this hypothesis requires further investigation. In contrast, no differences according to the procedure was made in patients with colon cancer.