Elevated Inflammation Markers Point to Reduced Breast Cancer Survival

Last Updated: 2009-06-08 13:23:09 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Systemic C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), measures of low-grade chronic inflammation, are inversely associated with survival in patients with breast cancer, researchers report in a May 26th online publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"C-reactive protein is available as a clinical test for heart disease and now it looks like this may also be useful for monitoring breast-cancer patients" well being," lead investigator Dr. Cornelia M. Ulrich told Reuters Health. "In addition, the lowering of CRP through exercise, weight loss or medications, may be helpful to reduce risk of recurrence."

Dr. Ulrich of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, and colleagues studied data on 734 women treated successfully for early stage breast cancer. The researchers examined circulating levels of CRP and SAA about 31 months after diagnosis.

After follow-up of almost 7 years, the team found that elevated levels of the biomarkers were associated with reduced overall survival. This persisted despite adjustment for age, tumor stage, race, and body mass index. For the highest versus the lowest levels of CRP, the hazard ratio form reduced survival was 2.27. For SAA, the corresponding value was 3.15.

Elevated CRP and SAA were also associated with reduced disease-free survival, but the significance was borderline.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Steven W. Cole, of the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, observes that the study provides "some of the most persuasive evidence yet that chronic inflammation might increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence."

He concludes that if the findings are replicated in larger studies, post-treatment monitoring of circulating acute phase proteins "could provide a new strategy for assessing the risk of breast cancer recurrence in seemingly cured patients."

J Clin Oncol 2009;27.


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