Serum lipoprotein profile in patients with cancer. A comparison with non-cancer subjects

Abstract

The association of cancer with low serum total cholesterol is well established. Less clear is the relationship of cancer with the cholesterol distribution among the different lipoprotein classes. Conflicting results have been reported on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels in different types of tumor. Total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and serum triglycerides were analyzed in 530 patients with newly diagnosed cancer (97 with hematological malignancies, 92 with tumor of the lung, 108 of the upper digestive system, 103 of colon, 32 of breast, and 98 of the genitourinary system) and in 415 non-cancer subjects. Anthropometric (body mass index) and biochemical (serum albumin) indices of nutritional status were also determined in all subjects. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum albumin, and body mass index were significantly lower in cancer than in non cancer-subjects. The lowest values of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were recorded in patients with hematological malignancies and the highest in patients with breast tumor. All the cancer groups, with the exception of women with breast cancer, showed significantly lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol than age- and sex-matched non-cancer subjects. Multiple regression analysis with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides as dependent variables and sex, age, body mass index, albumin, and cancer (dummy variable) as independent variables, showed that cancer was independently associated with low levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and with high values of serum triglycerides. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum triglycerides, body mass index and serum albumin were significantly lower in patients with metastatic than in patients with non-metastatic solid tumor. The significant difference in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and serum triglycerides between patients with metastatic and non-metastatic cancer was lost when lipoprotein cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels were adjusted for nutritional variables. The lipid profile in cancer patients is characterized by low low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and relatively high serum triglycerides. The abnormality is a common feature of both hematological and solid tumors and is not entirely explained by poor nutrition.

Plasma and neutrophil fatty acid composition in advanced cancer patients and response to fish oil supplementation

“…cancer patients compared to non-cancer subjects (Fiorenza et al, 2000), and these may account in part for the low levels of total PL observed here. Both HDL and LDL levels would be affected by a proximal deficit in lipid absorption or of chylomicron or VLDL synthesis, and studies of lipid incorporation in advanced cancer patients would appear warranted.…”

Lipid profile in leukemia and Hodgkin's disease

“…(14) & Fiorenza (15).Zyada demonstrated the relation between hypocholesterolemia & the degree of maturation of leukemic blast cells in acute myeloid leukemia (16). However, Peterson demonstrated that hypocholesterolemia in cancer patients may be caused by elevated LDL receptor activities in malignant cells (17).…”

Serum cholesterol levels within the high normal range are associated with better cognitive performance among Chinese elderly

“…It may be conjectured that high levels of cholesterol suggest a better general health status or socioeconomic status in the elderly. Lower cholesterol has been correlated with a higher risk of mortality in the elderly (30,31), and may accompany chronic diseases, cancer, and poor intake or absorption of nutrients (32,33), which in turn may be associated with cognitive impairment (34). Central obesity, which may indicate a better nutritional status, was associated with better cognitive function in our study (p<0.01).…”