Brain derived neurotrophic factor declines after complete curative resection in gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract

Background Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin involved in neural and metabolic diseases, but it is also one of the crucial factors in cancer development and metastases. In the current study, we investigated serum BDNF concentrations in patients that underwent surgical treatment for colorectal cancer or pancreatic cancer. Methods Serum BDNF concentrations were measured with standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, before and on the third day after the operation, in 50 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer and 25 patients with pancreatic cancer (tumours in the head of pancreas). We compared pre- and postoperative BDNF levels, according to the subsequent TNM stage, histologic stage, lymph node involvement, neuro- or angio-invasion, and resection range. Results In the pancreatic cancer group, BDNF concentrations fell significantly postoperatively (p = 0.011). In patients that underwent resections, BDNF concentrations fell (p = 0.0098), but not in patients that did not undergo resections (i.e., laparotomy alone). There were significant pre- and postoperative differences in BDNF levels among patients with (p = 0.021) and without (p = 0.034) distant metastases. Significant reductions in BDNF were observed postoperatively in patients with small tumours (i.e., below the median size; p = 0.023), in patients with negative angio- or lymphatic invasion (p = 0.028, p = 0.011, respectively), and in patients with lymph node ratios above 0.17 (p = 0.043). In the colon cancer group, the serum BDNF concentrations significantly fell postoperatively in the entire group (p = 0.0076) and in subgroups of patients with or without resections (p = 0.034, p = 0.0179, respectively). Significant before-after differences were found in subgroups with angioinvasions (p = 0.050) and in those without neuroinvasions (p = 0.049). Considering the TNM stages, the postoperative BDNF concentration fell in groups with (p = 0.0218) and without (p = 0.034) distant metastases and in patients with tumours below the median size (p = 0.018). Conclusion Our results suggested that BDNF might play an important role in gastrointestinal cancer development. BDNF levels were correlated with tumour volume, and with neuro-, angio- and lymphatic invasions. In pancreatic cancer, BDNF concentrations varied according to the surgical procedure and they fell significantly after tumour resections. Thus, BDNF may serve as a potential marker of complete resections in underdiagnosed patients. However, this hypothesis requires further investigation. In contrast, no differences according to the procedure was made in patients with colon cancer.

Colorectal Cancer and Common Psychiatric Disorders: A Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study

“…Our study revealed a potential causal relationship between CRC and a reduced risk of bipolar disorder, which has not been previously examined. Although earlier studies have noted an increased risk of cancer in individuals with bipolar disorder [30], the biological processes underlying bipolar disorder remain unclear. Bipolar disorder may cause various responses, including DNA methylation, neurotrophic factor uctuations, mitochondrial dysfunction, immuno-in ammatory imbalances, and circadian rhythm disturbances [31][32][33][34].…”

Fármacos enteógenos y la depresión resistente al tratamiento: Una revisión narrativa

“…Un aspecto importante que considerar es que el THC, la ketamina, la psilocibina y el DMT aumentan el factor neurotrófico derivado del cerebro (BDNF, siglas en inglés) y el segundo mensajero mTOR. Ambos efectos son benéficos y aparentemente cruciales para mejorar la depresión y la ansiedad, pero pueden ser un efecto colateral indeseado para la depresión asociada con un diagnóstico de cáncer, ya que el BDNF y el mTOR se asocian con el crecimiento tumoral y la metástasis (Guzel et al, 2021;Yang et al, 2011).…”