Association of Cytokine Candidate Genes with Severity of Pain and Co-Occurring Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Abstract

The proposed project is a cross-sectional observational study of 300 women undergoing active chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Comprehensive Cancer Center, El Camino Hospital, and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. The purpose of the proposed project is to identify common genetic variations (i.e., single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] and haplotypes) in cytokine genes, as well demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics that are associated with the severity of pain and co-occurring symptoms. Pain is a multidimensional experience that is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In addition, other symptoms commonly co-occur with pain, including fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms. Previous candidate gene studies by our group found that variation in cytokine candidate genes were associated with the severity of fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression in patients undergoing radiation therapy and their family caregivers. Moreover, the symptom cluster of interest (i.e., pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression) closely resembles components of cytokine-induced sickness behavior observed in animal models, suggesting that the cytokine signaling pathway may play an important role in mediating these symptoms. The identification of factors (i.e., demographic, clinical, psychological, genetic) that contribute to variability in the experience of pain and associated symptoms may provide valuable information that will improve our ability to identify patients at higher risk of more severe symptoms. Such factors may also represent novel targets for pain prevention and management in women with breast cancer.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA591465

Entities

People

  • Dale J. Langford

Organizations

  • University of California, San Francisco

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Breast Cancer
  • California
  • Caregivers
  • Chemotherapy
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Genes
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Genetics
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Identification
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neoplasms
  • Quality Of Life
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.
  • Women's Health and Cancer Risk Research: African American Women and Pregnancy Outcomes.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology