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Cited by 27

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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a biomarker in cancer-related cognitive impairment among adolescent and young adult cancer patients

Ng, Ding Quan, Cheng, Ivy, Wang, Claire, Tan, Chia Jie, Toh, Yi Long, Koh, Yong Qin, Ke, Yu, Foo, Koon Mian, Chan, Raymond J., Ho, Han Kiat, Chew, Lita, bin Harunal Rashid, Mohamad Farid, Chan, Alexandre·2023·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-023-43581-1
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Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) improves cognitive function by stimulating neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. We hypothesize that higher plasma BDNF levels are protective against cognitive toxicity among adolescent and young adult cancer patients (15–39 years old). In a prospective, longitudinal study, we recruited 74 newly diagnosed cancer and 118 age-matched non-cancer controls who completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function questionnaire (FACT-Cog) and blood draws. Plasma BDNF was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genomic DNA from buffy coat was genotyped for BDNF Val66Met. Most cancer participants were diagnosed with breast (24%) and head/neck (22%) cancers. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables (age, gender, race, marital status, education years), cancer participants had lower BDNF levels (ng/mL) at baseline (median: 10.7 vs 21.6, p < 0.001) and 6-months post-baseline (median: 8.2 vs 15.3, p = 0.001) compared to non-cancer controls. Through linear mixed modelling adjusted for sociodemographic variables, baseline cognition, fatigue, psychological distress, and time, we observed that among cancer participants, lower baseline BDNF levels were associated with worse attention (p = 0.029), memory (p = 0.018) and self-perceived cognitive abilities (p = 0.020) during cancer treatment. Met/Met was associated with enhanced executive function compared to Val/Val (p = 0.012). Plasma BDNF may serve as a predictive biomarker of cancer-related cognitive impairment.

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Metadata

Authors
Ng, D. Q., Cheng, I., Wang, C., Tan, C. J., Toh, Y. L., Koh, Y. Q., Ke, Y., Foo, K. M., Chan, R. J., Ho, H. K., Chew, L., bin Harunal Rashid, M. F., & Chan, A.
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-09-28
Volume
13
Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
DOI
10.1038/s41598-023-43581-1
Cited by
27
References
5
Language
en
Licence
Funders
National Medical Research Council (NMRC/CIRG/1471/2017)

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Ng, D. Q., Cheng, I., Wang, C., Tan, C. J., Toh, Y. L., Koh, Y. Q., Ke, Y., Foo, K. M., Chan, R. J., Ho, H. K., Chew, L., bin Harunal Rashid, M. F., & Chan, A. (2023). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a biomarker in cancer-related cognitive impairment among adolescent and young adult cancer patients. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43581-1

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