Genetic risk factors for cancer-related cognitive impairment: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a commonly reported complaint among non-CNS cancer patients. Even subtle CRCI may have detrimental effects on quality of life and identifying patients at increased risk for CRCI to improve survivorship care is important. In the present paper, we systematically reviewed available studies of possible genetic risk factors for developing CRCI. Methods: Keyword-based systematic searches were undertaken on 24 July 2018 in PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and CINAHL. Three authors independently evaluated full-texts of identified papers and excluded studies with registration of reasons. Seventeen studies reporting results from 14 independent samples were included for review. Two authors independently quality assessed the included studies. The review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42018107689). Results: Ten studies investigated apolipoprotein E (APOE), with four studies reporting that carrying at least one risk allele (APOE4 (e4)) was associated with CRCI, while six studies found no association. The remaining identified genetic risk variants associated with CRCI located in: COMT, four DNA repair genes, five oxidative stress genes, 22 genes related to breast cancer phenotype, and GNB3. No associations were found between CRCI and genes coding for interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). With the exception of APOE, the genetic risk factors had only been investigated in one or two studies each. Conclusions: Overall, the available evidence of possible genetic risk factors for CRCI is limited. While some research suggests a role for the e4 allele, the literature is generally inconsistent, and the currently available evidence does not allow clear-cut conclusions regarding the role of genetic factors in the development of CRCI. Larger genetic studies and studies investigating additional genetic variants are needed to uncover genetic risk factors for CRCI.

The association of genetic polymorphisms with neuroconnectivity in breast cancer patients

“…www.nature.com/scientificreports/ The potential for genetic polymorphisms to modulate the impact of neurologic insults has been identified in several diseases 79,80 , but is not defined in cancer. Recent systematic review has found variable correlations between genetic polymorphisms and CRCI 81 , precluding the conclusive definition of a relationship. Connectomics provides a novel contribution to elucidating this relationship.…”

A narrative review of risk factors and interventions for cancer- related cognitive impairment

“…CRCI was not found to be associated with the genes coding IL-6, TNF, IL-1β, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Except for APOE 4, genetic risk factors were not widely investigated (93). In general, the evidence is limited for possible genetic risk factors for CRCI, but we can reach a consensus that genetic factors are associated with cognitive impairment in cancer patients after treatment.…”

The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism, Regular Exercise, and Cognition: A Systematic Review

“…The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies and Quality Assessment for Controlled Intervention Studies (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2019). In line with a previous study (Buskbjerg et al, 2019), item scores (yes/partly/no) were rated with points, that is, 1/0.5/0, respectively, and summed to get a total study quality score. A total prorated quality score was then generated for each included study by (a) dividing the total study quality score by the number of applicable items for the given study (this would generate a mean • • There was a significant between-subjects interaction, which indicated the beneficial effects of exercise training on cognitive function were independent of the BDNF genotype.…”