Changes of serum endocrine hormone levels in patients with cancer-related fatigue and their correlation with anti-tumor immune response and tumor load

摘要

Objective: To study the changes of serum endocrine hormone levels in patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and their correlation with anti-tumor immune response and tumor load. Methods: A total of 137 patients who were diagnosed with primary lung cancer in West China Hospital, Sichuan University between June 2014 and November 2016 were selected and then divided into CRF group and control group according to their self-reported symptoms, serum was collected to determine the levels of endocrine hormones and tumor markers, and peripheral blood was collected to detect the levels of immune cells. Results: Serum ACTH and TSH levels of CRF group were significantly higher than those of control group while Cor, FT3 and FT4 levels were significantly lower than those of control group; peripheral blood CD11b+CD15-CD33+CD14+M-MDSC, CD11b+CD15-CD33+CD14-G-MDSC, CD4+CD25+CD127lowTreg and CD19+CD5+CD1d+Breg levels as well as serum CEA, Cyfra21-1, SCC-Ag, HE4, GDF-15 and PCNA levels of CRF group were significantly higher than those of control group, positively correlated with serum ACTH and TSH levels, and negatively correlated with Cor, FT3 and FT4 levels. Conclusion: The changes of thyroid hormone and adrenal cortical hormone levels in patients with cancer-related fatigue are closely related to the inhibited anti-tumor immune response and increased tumor load.