IMPACT OF TUMOR-DERIVED CYTOKINES ON MUSCLE FUNCTION AND BRAIN HEALTH IN CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

Cancer-associated inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key driver of systemic complications that extend beyond tumor burden, particularly affecting skeletal muscle function and cognitive health. This study investigated the impact of tumor-derived cytokines on neuromuscular and neurocognitive outcomes in a longitudinal cohort of 100 patients with advanced solid tumors. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months for serum cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10), handgrip strength, and brain function via memory index scores derived from MRI-based cognitive evaluations. Research data indicated that handgrip strength declined slowly during twelve months whereas cognitive scores displayed a significant downturn.  IL-6 displayed the most significant connection to poor cognitive and physical scores among tested participants (r = -0.59 for muscular strength and r = -0.53 for cognitive performance scores).  IL-1β exhibited weak negative associations between measures while IL-10 demonstrated relieving tendencies.  The detected inflammatory cytokines inside tumors create a multisystem illness that results in both cognitive decline and muscular deterioration.  The results from our study support the existing evidence showing that cancer-related neuroinflammation creates a shared inflammatory process which leads to neuromuscular dysfunction.  This study demonstrates that inflammatory evaluations and neuromuscular tests must become standard components in standard oncology practices.  Conducting treatments that bypass cytokines through pharmacology and nutrition and motion activities could represent viable treatment solutions for lowering these burdens.  These findings reveal new aspects regarding cancer-related decline mechanisms and create opportunities for developing combined therapies to improve physical functions and brain health in oncology patients.