Systemic Biological Mechanisms of Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

Anna Lynn M. Williams, Wei Liu, Matthew J. Ehrhardt, Sedigheh Mirzaei Salehabadi, Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Nicholas S. Phillips, Daniel A. Mulrooney, Jamie E. Flerlage, Yutaka Yasui, Deokumar Srivastava, Leslie L. Robison, Melissa M. Hudson, Kirsten K. Ness, Noah D. Sabin, Kevin R. Krull

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors experience neurocognitive impairment despite receiving no central nervous system- directed therapy, though little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Experimental Design: HL survivors (n=197) and age-, sex- and race/ethnicity frequency-matched community controls (n = 199) underwent standardized neurocognitive testing, and serum collection. Luminex multiplex or ELISA assays measured markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Linear regression models compared biomarker concentrations between survivors and controls and with neurocognitive outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, anti-inflammatory medication, and recent infections. Results: HL survivors [mean (SD) current age 36 (8) years, 22 (8) years after diagnosis] demonstrated higher concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL6), high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), compared with controls (P's < 0.001). Among survivors, higher concentrations of IL6 were associated with worse visuomotor processing speed (P = 0.046). hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L was associated with worse attention, processing speed, memory, and executive function (P's < 0.05). Higher concentrations of malondialdehyde were associated with worse focused attention and visual processing speed (P's < 0.05). Homocysteine was associated with worse short-term recall (P = 0.008). None of these associations were statistically significant among controls. Among survivors, hs-CRP partially mediated associations between cardiovascular or endocrine conditions and visual processing speed, whereas IL6 partially mediated associations between pulmonary conditions and visuomotor processing speed. Conclusions: Neurocognitive function in long-term survivors of HL appears to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, both representing potential targets for future intervention trials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1822-1832
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume30
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 American Association for Cancer Research.

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Systemic Biological Mechanisms of Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this