Inflammatory biomarkers and nutritional status of non-metastatic breast cancer women receiving outpatient chemotherapy

Introduction: The C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been employed for prognostic evaluation. Here, we aimed to analyze the association between inflammatory biomarkers and sociodemographic, clinical as well as anthropometric variables in women with stage I-III, breast cancer during the first and third cycles of outpatient chemotherapy.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a reference oncological hospital in Brazil, involving women aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with breast cancer in stages I-III and receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyzes were carried out.

Results: CRP levels were elevated as early as the 1st cycle of chemotherapy, remaining consistent in the 3rd cycle of treatment. Conversely, NLR and PLR exhibited averages below the recommended levels but increased over the course of chemotherapy. Variables such as self-reported race, waist circumference, Body Mass Index, tricipital skinfold thickness, and corrected arm circumference showed an association with CRP. NLR was associated with marital status, staging, TNM classification, diabetes, and corrected arm muscle area.

Conclusion: Assessing systemic chronic inflammatory markers in the bloodstream can offer valuable insights into the role of inflammation during breast cancer chemotherapy treatment.

Corresponding author: Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior (e-mail: lopesjr.lc@gmail.com).