Study: Immune Cells May Play Role in Post-Breast Cancer Fatigue

Persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors may be associated with a chronic inflammatory process involving immune cells known as T cells, according to a report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Almost one-third of women successfully treated for breast cancer suffer persistent fatigue of unknown origin. Earlier studies have found elevated levels of several inflammatory markers in circulating blood among breast cancer survivors experiencing fatigue.

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center compared cellular immune system status in 20 fatigued breast cancer survivors to 19 matched breast cancer survivors who did not suffer from fatigue, and said results suggested some ongoing inflammation problem as the cause of fatigue in these patients.

"Fatigued survivors, compared with non-fatigued survivors, had statistically significantly increased numbers of circulating T lymphocytes," the researchers reported.

"Results of this study suggest that persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors might be associated with a chronic inflammatory process involving the T-cell compartment," the researchers concluded.

The new findings could lead to treatments, such as drugs that block inflammation chemicals, for this type of fatigue, the researchers said.

Other Sources: Journal of the National Cancer Institute