Longitudinal analysis of cancer symptom clusters and inflammatory biomarkers: Insights into quality of life in Brazilian breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

• DOI: 10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e24045
• Publication Date: 2025-05-28T17:47:41Z
• Authors: Prof. Dr. Luís Ca...; Wesley Rocha Grippa; Jonathan Grassi; Naira Santos Dago...; Etreo Junior Carn...; Luiz Claudio Barr...; Raphael Pessanha; Karoline Neumann ...; Sara Isabel Pimen...; Lívia Machado Gia...; Karla Vasconcelos; Oscar Geovanny En...; Karolini Zuqui Nunes; Vitor Fiorin de V...
• Keywords: Inflammatory breast cancer

e24045 Background: Chronic inflammation and cancer share a complex relationship. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte (PLR), Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) are reliable biomarkers linked to prognosis. Elevated levels correlate with poorer quality of life (QoL). Research on symptom clusters (CSC) may elucidate mechanisms improve management, particularly regarding QoL. This study assessed associations between inflammatory biomarkers, CSCs, QoL in Brazilian breast (BC) patients under chemotherapy (CT). Methods: A longitudinal at southeastern Brazil center (2022-2024) included newly diagnosed women (≥18 years) stage I-III BC outpatient CT. Exclusion criteria: palliative care >1 primary tumor. Data collection occurred before CT-infusion including: blood samples for biomarker analysis, CSC data (MSAS), scores (EQ-5D-3L) were collected across six 21-day CT-cycles. Descriptive, bivariate, multivariate analyses held. Results: Fifty (mean age: 53.3±11.4) followed. Diagnoses invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) (50%) non-IDC (50%), stages I (16%), II (62%), III (22%). Adjuvant therapy regimens anthracycline 42% patients, while 58% received nonanthracycline . Effect sizes (Glass' delta) large NLR (0.83 [0.03-1.62]) PLR (0.92 [0.25-1.57] moderate MLR (0.59 [0.22-0.96]). (p=0.013), (p<0.001), (p=0.001) increased significantly during CT1-CT6 cycles, indicating poor Differences emerged IDC CT3 (p=0.042) CT4 (p=0.042), CT5 (p=0.05). averaged was 79.36 (p=0.219). impacted D5-Anxiety/Depression (p=0.028) D3-Usual Activities CT6 (p=0.019). Predominant CSCs CT1-CT5 included: Cluster-1 (emotional): concentration issues-nervousness-insomnia-sadness-worry-irritability; Cluster-2 (somatic): pain-fatigue-dry mouth. At CT6, persisted, joined by Cluster-4 (gastrointestinal): nausea-appetite loss-taste changes-bloating-weight loss-diarrhea. D2 D3 D5 (p<0.001). affected D4 (p<0.001) Clusters-2 4 worsened all domains Conclusions: Emotional, somatic, gastrointestinal impaired Inflammatory progressively increased, reflecting prognosis impact. research provide insights into the biological networks underpinning symptoms, supporting personalized care, enabling early interventions manage CT side effects.