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Introduction: Cancer cachexia is a clinical condition characterized by recognizable "sickness behaviors" accompanied by loss of lean body tissue. The Global Leadership on Malnutrition (GLIM) has proposed phenotypic (unintentional weight loss, low body mass index and low muscle mass) and aetiologic (reduced food intake and inflammation or disease burden) diagnostic criteria. Recent work has suggested serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) might represent a 3rd aetiologic criteria. Little is known of its relationship with GLIM. A systematic review and meta-analysis of their comparative prognostic value and association was performed., Methods: A search of electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Ovid, Cochrane) up to February 2023 was used to identify studies that compared the prognostic value of LDH and components of the GLIM criteria in cancer. An analysis of the relationship between LDH and the components of GLIM was undertaken where this data was available. RevMan 5.4.1 was used to perform a meta-analysis for each diagnostic criteria that had 3 or more studies which reported hazard ratios with a 95 per cent confidence interval for overall survival (OS)., Results: A total of 119 studies were reviewed. Advanced lung cancer was the most studied population. Included in the meta-analysis were 6 studies (n=2165) on LDH and weight loss, 17 studies (n=7540) on LDH and low BMI, 5 studies (n=758) on LDH and low muscle mass, 0 studies on LDH and food intake and 93 studies (n=32,190) on LDH and inflammation. There was a significant association between elevated serum LDH and each of low BMI (OR 1.39, 1.09 - 1.77; p=0.008), elevated NLR (OR 2.04, 1.57 - 2.65; p<0.00001) and elevated CRP (OR 2.58, 1.81 - 3.67; p<0.00001). There was no association between elevated serum LDH and low muscle mass. Only one study presented data on the association between LDH and unintentional weight loss. Elevated LDH showed a comparative OS (HR 1.86, 1.57 - 2.07; p<0.00001) to unintentional weight loss (HR 1.57, 1.23 - 1.99; p=0.0002) and had a similar OS (HR 2.00, 1.70 - 2.34; p<0.00001) to low BMI (HR 1.57, 1.29-2.90; p<0.0001). LDH also showed an OS (HR 2.25, 1.76 - 2.87; p<0.00001) congruous with low muscle mass (HR 1.93, 1.14 - 3.27; p=0.01) and again, LDH conferred as poor an OS (HR 1.77, 1.64-1.90; p<0.00001) as elevated NLR (HR 1.61, 1.48 - 1.77; p<0.00001) or CRP (HR 1.55, 1.43 - 1.69; p<0.00001)., Conclusion: Current literature suggests elevated serum LDH is associated with inflammation in cancer (an aetiologic GLIM criterion), however more work is required to establish the relationship between LDH and the phenotypic components of GLIM. Additionally, elevated serum LDH appears to be a comparative prognosticator of overall survival in cancer when compared to the GLIM criteria., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Despite a well-known prognostic role in colorectal cancer, the genomic profiling of tumour budding remains to be elucidated. We aim to review the association of common mutations with tumour budding., Methods: A systematic review of studies relating to tumour budding and genetic mutation in CRC was performed. The relationship between mutational status and tumour budding was evaluated using meta-analysis., Results: A total of 6153 patients from 17 articles were included. According to the meta-analysis, high-grade tumour budding was significantly associated with KRAS mutation (OR = 1.52, 95 %CI: 1.13-2.02, P = 0.005) and MSS/pMMR (OR = 2.06, 95 %CI: 1.42-2.97, P = 0.0001)., Conclusion: The significant association between high-grade tumour budding and mutated KRAS or MSS/pMMR may suggest a role of these mutations in the development of the tumour budding phenotype and be useful for stratifying patient outcome in CRC., (Crown Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

β-catenin is a key component of Wnt signalling, which plays a crucial role in CRC progression. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of β-catenin expression in CRC patients. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for relevant publications referring to the association between β-catenin expression and outcome of CRC patients. Review Manager version 5.4 was employed to analysis data from 28 eligible studies (containing 5475 patients). Of these, 6 provided data on DFS, 6 provided data on CSS and 18 reports provided data on OS. High nuclear β-catenin expression was significantly associated with poorer DFS, CSS and OS in patients with CRC whereas, low membranous β-catenin expression was associated to poor OS. In conclusion, β-catenin has prognostic value and potential as a biomarker to stratify patients with CRC. However, further work with high quantity tissue cohorts and patient data is required to confirm this conclusion., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Development and spread of cancer is linked to the inflammatory response, in which cytokines serve a key role. The inflammatory response may also form the basis for symptoms of cancer. This systematic review examines the relationship between cytokines and symptoms in incurable cancer., Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies from January 2004 to January 2020., Results: Twenty studies were selected (n = 1806 patients, 119 controls). Symptoms studied included depression, fatigue, pain, and loss of appetite. Nine studies examined patients with a specified tumour type, the remainder included patients with a mix of tumour types. Thirty-one cytokines were examined; multiple associations between cytokines and symptoms were described, supporting the hypothesis that cytokines may have a key role in symptom generation., Conclusion: Symptoms of incurable cancer are associated with circulating cytokines. Further study is required to characterise these relationships, and to explore their therapeutic potential., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Hypoxia is a characteristic of many solid tumours and results in an increase in expression of HIF-1α. Many studies have investigated the prognostic value of HIF-1α expression in breast cancer (BC), however, the prognostic value remains unclear. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the prognostic value of HIF-1α in BC patients., Methods: The electronic databases PubMed and Web of science were systematically searched to identify relevant papers. The clinical outcomes included disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in BC patients. Review Manager version 5.4 was employed to analysis data from 30 eligible studies (containing 6201patients)., Results: High expression of HIF-1α was associated with poorer DFS and OS. There was an effect of survival analysis, study region, antibodies used, scoring and threshold methods on HIF-1α expression., Conclusion: HIF-1α overexpression was significantly associated with poorer DFS and OS in breast cancer patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors are novel therapeutic agents in colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunohistochemical staining for CD274 assessment is standardised in upper GI cancer, but not in CRC., Methods: Methodologies of relevant studies were scrutinized and meta-analysis of survival and CD274/PDCD1 performed. Furthermore, anti-PD-1 therapy clinical trial results in CRC were assessed with particular emphasis on CD274 assessment., Results: 24 studies were included. CD274 on immune cells was associated with good prognosis. CD274 on tumour cells has heterogenous outcomes and does not meet requirements of a prognostic marker. As a marker of response to anti-PD-1 therapy, CD274 assessment is not standardised in CRC., Conclusion: CD274 does not appear useful as a prognostic marker. As a marker of response to anti-PD-1 therapy, assessment methodology requires standardisation. As the Combined Positive Score (CPS) is used in upper GI cancer, this seems a logical method to adopt. Thresholds for CRC remain to be determined., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The prognostic importance of SIR in patients with cancer is widely recognised. More recently it has become clear that the systemic inflammatory response is an important etiologic factor in the development of cancer cachexia. Two recent meta-analysis carried out in 2017 and 2018 were interrogated and the number of patients with specific cancer types were identified. The percentage of patients with operable cancer (n>28,000) who were systemically inflamed varied from 21% to 38%. The percentage of patients with inoperable cancer (n>12,000) who were systemically inflamed varied from 29% to 79%. Overall, the percentage of patients (n>40,000) who were systemically inflamed varied from 28% to 63% according to tumour type. The most commonly studied cancer was colorectal cancer (n∼10,000 patients) and 40% were systemically inflamed., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest There are no conflict of interests to report., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prognostic value of the systemic inflammatory response in cancer has been well established in observational studies. This review aims to examine and rationalise the evidence for the role of systemic inflammation based prognostic scores in randomised clinical trials., Method: An extensive literature review using targeted medical subject headings was carried out in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CDSR databases until January 2018. Titles were examined for relevance and after exclusions bibliographies were hand searched to identify additional trials., Results: There were 29 trials containing data on 37,020 patients presented in full paper form and 8 trials containing data on 3805 patients presented in abstract form. Most trials were published within the last three years. Seven trials containing data on 6044 patients were published in 2015. Eight trials containing data on 4384 patients were published in 2016. Twelve trials containing data on 27,228 patients were published in 2017. The majority of trials were in advanced inoperable cancer and colorectal cancer was the most common cancer type with 11 articles containing data on 27,909 patients. The GPS/mGPS was shown to have prognostic value in randomised clinical trials in NSCLC, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. The NLR/dNLR was shown to have prognostic value in randomised clinical trials in nasopharyngeal cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary cancer, prostate cancer and multiple cancer types., Conclusion: The prognostic value of systemic inflammation based prognostic scores has been confirmed in multiple trials and should be incorporated into future prospective randomised clinical trials., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide over the last few decades, and is a well-recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer. Surgical site infection is the most frequent complication following surgery for colorectal cancer, and the main cause of postoperative morbidity. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between increasing BMI and postoperative surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer., Methods: A systemic literature search was conducted using Medline, PubMed, Embase (Ovid) and Web of Science databases from inception to the end of August 2016. Studies examining the relationship between obesity and surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer were included. Analysis of the data was performed using Review Manager version 5.3(The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copen-hagen, Denmark,) RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, a total of 9535 patients from 16 studies were included. BMI <30 vs ≥30kg/m 2 was used to examine the association of obesity and surgical site infection in patients from Western countries. The estimated pooled OR demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of surgical site infection by approximately 100% (OR=2.13; 95% CI 1.66-2.72, p<0.001).BMI <25 vs ≥25kg/m 2 was used to examine the association of obesity and surgical site infection from Asian countries. The estimated pooled OR demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of surgical site infection by approximately 60% (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.29-2.06, p<0.001). There was little evidence of publication bias in the meta-analysis., Conclusion: From this systematic review and meta-analysis there was good evidence that obesity was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer in both ethnic groups. The magnitude of the effect warrants further investigation., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. While a curative intent is the aim of any surgical treatment many patients either present with or go onto develop disseminated disease requiring systemic anti-cancer therapy with a palliative intent. Given their limited life expectancy appropriate allocation of treatment is vital. It is recognised that systemic chemoradiotherapy may shorten the quality/quantity of life in patients with advanced cancer. It is against this background that the present systematic review and meta-analysis of the prognostic value of markers of the systemic inflammatory response in patients with advanced cancer was conducted., Methods: An extensive literature review using targeted medical subject headings was carried out in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CDSR databases until the end of 2016. Titles were examined for relevance and studies relating to duplicate datasets, that were not published in English and that did not have full text availability were excluded. Full texts of relevant articles were obtained and were then examined to identify any further relevant articles., Results: The majority of studies were retrospective. The systemic inflammatory response, as evidenced by a number of markers at clinical thresholds, was reported to have independent prognostic value, across tumour types and geographical locations. In particular, C-reactive protein (CRP, 63 studies), albumin (33 studies) the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS, 44 studies) and the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR, 59 articles) were consistently validated across tumour types and geographical locations. There was considerable variation in the thresholds reported to have prognostic value when CRP and albumin were examined. There was less variation in the thresholds reported for NLR and still less for the GPS., Discussion: The systemic inflammatory response, especially as evidenced by the GPS and NLR, has reliable prognostic value in patients with advanced cancer. Further prospective studies of their clinical utility in randomised clinical trials and in treatment allocation are warranted., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Perineural invasion is a clear route for cancer cell spread however, the role of nerves in cancer progression is relatively unknown. Recent work would suggest that nerves can actively infiltrate the tumour microenvironment and stimulate cancer cell growth. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to systematically review the identification and associations of perineural invasion and survival in patients with primary operable colorectal cancer. From initial search results of 912 articles, 38 studies were selected. Using H&E stains; five studies including 1835 patients reported on survival stratified by perineural invasion in colon cancer with weighted average detection rates of 26%; eleven studies including 3837 patients reported on rectal cancer with weighted average detection rates of 25% and; sixteen studies including 9145 patients reported on survival stratified by perineural invasion in colorectal cancer with weighted average detection rates of 17%. Using special techniques (S100), six studies including 1458 patients reported on the identification of perineural invasion in colorectal cancer. In comparison to H&E staining alone, the use of immunohistochemistry with S100 increased the detection of perineural invasion to approximately 70%. However, those studies did not examine the relationship with outcomes, so further research is required to establish the clinical significance of perineural invasion detected by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, perineural invasion deserves special attention for improved prognostic stratification in patients with colorectal cancer. Further work is required to standardise pathology assessment and reporting of perineural invasion, in particular its definition, use of special stains and routine inclusion in pathology practice. Reliable assessment is required for investigations into mechanisms of perineural invasion, its role tumour spread and prognostic value., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This meta-analysis examined the impact of preoperative corticosteroids on interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and complications following surgery for gastrointestinal cancer., Methods: A systematic review was performed using appropriate keywords. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed., Results: 11 RCTs with 474 patients, were included. Corticosteroids were significantly associated with lower IL-6 on postoperative day 1 (mean difference -148pg/mL, 95% CI -205 to -92, p<0.001), 2 (-33pg/mL, 95% CI -58 to -8, p=0.01), and 3 (-31pg/mL, 95% CI -52 to -11, p=0.002), lower CRP on day 3 (-45mg/L, 95% CI -68 to -21, p<0.001), and 7 (-14mg/L, 95% CI -27 to -1, p=0.04), and fewer postoperative infective complications (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.83, p=0.01)., Conclusion: Corticosteroids were associated with reduction in the postoperative systemic inflammatory response and complications following surgery for gastrointestinal cancer., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: This systematic review investigated the impact of complications by type (infective vs. non-infective) and severity (using the Clavien Dindo scale) on long-term outcome following surgery for colorectal cancer., Methods: A systematic review was performed using appropriate keywords. Meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed., Results: 14 studies were included with a total 18,611 patients. Infective complications had a significant impact on disease free (HR 1.41, 95%CI 1.08-1.83, p=0.01) and overall survival (1.37 95%CI 1.22-1.55, p<0.001). Non-infective complications had no significant impact on either disease free (HR 1.21, 95%CI 0.97-1.52, p=0.09) or overall survival (HR 1.35, 95%CI 0.92-1.97, p=0.12). Complication severity had a significant impact on both disease free (HR 1.41, 95%CI 1.18-1.68, p<0.001) and overall survival (HR 1.45, 95%CI 1.25-1.69, p<0.001)., Discussion: Both type and severity of postoperative complications have an impact on long-term survival following surgery for colorectal cancer., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In patients with advanced incurable lung cancer deciding as to the most appropriate treatment (e.g., chemotherapy or supportive care only) is challenging. In such patients the TNM classification system has reached its ceiling therefore other factors are used to assess prognosis and as such, guide treatment. Performance status (PS), weight loss and inflammatory biomarkers (Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS)) predict survival in advanced lung cancer however these have not been compared. This study compares key prognostic factors in advanced lung cancer., Materials and Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer were recruited and demographics, weight loss, other prognostic factors (mGPS, PS) were collected. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to compare these prognostic factors., Results: 390 patients with advanced incurable lung cancer were recruited; 341 were male, median age was 66 years (IQR 59-73) and patients had stage IV non-small cell (n=288) (73.8%) or extensive stage small cell lung cancer (n=102) (26.2%). The median survival was 7.8 months. On multivariate analysis only performance status (HR 1.74 CI 1.50-2.02) and mGPS (HR 1.67, CI 1.40-2.00) predicted survival (p<0.001). Survival at 3 months ranged from 99% (ECOG 0-1) to 74% (ECOG 2) and using mGPS, from 99% (mGPS0) to 71% (mGPS2). In combination, survival ranged from 99% (mGPS 0, ECOG 0-1) to 33% (mGPS2, ECOG 3)., Conclusion: Performance status and the mGPS are superior prognostic factors in advanced lung cancer. In combination, these improved survival prediction compared with either alone., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Survival from lung cancer remains poor in Scotland, UK. It is believed that comorbidity may play an important role in this. The goal of this study was to determine the value of a novel comorbidity scoring system (SCSS) and to compare it with the already established Charlson Comorbidity Index and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). We also wished to explore the relationship between comorbidity, mGPS and Performance Status (PS). In addition we investigated a number of standard prognostic markers and demographics. This study aimed to determine which of these factors most accurately predicted survival., Methods: Between 2005 and 2008 all newly diagnosed lung cancer patients coming through the Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) in four Scottish Centres were included in the study. Patient demographics, World Health Organization/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, clinico-pathological features, mGPS, comorbidity and proposed primary treatment modality were recorded. Univariate survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test., Results: This large unselected population based cohort study of lung cancer patients has demonstrated that a number of important factors have significant impact in terms of survival. It has gone further by showing that the factors which influence survival are different, depending upon the stage of cancer at diagnosis and the potential treatment strategy. The novel comorbidity scoring system, the SCSS, has compared very favourably with the more established CCI., Conclusion: This study has identified that a variety of factors are independent prognostic determinants of outcome in lung cancer. There appear to be clear differences between the early and late stage groups., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Although vascular invasion in colorectal cancer has been recognised since 1938, detection methods and results remain inconsistent. Vascular invasion is currently an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer influencing disease progression and survival. The vascular system consists of three components, arterial, venous and lymphatic vessels, all of which can be invaded but accurate distinction between the components remains difficult with routine staining techniques. Even though higher detection rates with elastica staining, for large vessel invasion, and recent techniques for immunohistochemistry for small vessel invasion, have been reported, a standardised method of detection has not been agreed upon which is reflected in the variability of published results. As a result of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in the UK it will be necessary to attempt to identify and stratify patients better, to be able to handle the stage migration to early node negative colorectal cancer. At present up to a third of patients, with node-negative colorectal cancer on conventional histopathological analysis, ultimately die of recurrent disease. It is therefore important to develop and standardised methods to identify lymphatic and blood vessel invasion which will influence ultimate survival. The present review summarises the current status of detection methods for these components of vascular invasion., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Lymphovascular invasion (LBVI) has long been recognized as an essential step of metastases in patients with cancer. However, the process of invasion into lymphatic and blood vessels is still not well defined in breast cancer. To examine the evidence for LBVI, lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and blood vessel invasion (BVI) in predicting survival in patients with primary operable breast cancer, and to evaluate the detection methods of vessel invasion. A systematic review of data published from 1964 to 2012 was undertaken according to a pre-defined protocol. There is robust evidence that general LBVI and LVI are independent prognostic factors of poorer survival. The prognostic role of BVI remains unclear. Most studies detected LBVI using H&E stained sections. The overall weighted average of the LBVI rate using immunostaining was higher (35%) than H&E (24%). The LBVI rate using H&E was variable (9-50%) and less variable using immunostaining (32-41%). The overall weighted average of the LVI rate was similar using H&E and immunostaining (33% vs. 25%). The LVI rate using H&E was variable (10-49%) and less variable using immunostaining (21-42%). The overall weighted average of the BVI rate was similar using H&E and/or classical staining and immunostaining (16% vs. 10%). The BVI rates using H&E and/or classical staining approach (4-46%) and immunostaining (1-29%) were both variable. The LBVI and LVI are powerful prognostic factors in primary operable breast cancer. However, BVI was rarely specifically examined and its role in predicting survival is not clear. Further work is required using reliable specific staining to establish the routine use of LVI and BVI in the prediction of outcome in patients with primary operable breast cancer., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

There is increasing and consistent evidence that cancer-associated inflammation is a key determinant of outcome in patients with cancer. Various markers of inflammation have been examined over the past decade in an attempt to refine stratification of patients to treatment and predict survival. One routinely available marker of the systemic inflammatory response is the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is derived from the absolute neutrophil and absolute lymphocyte counts of a full blood count. To date, over 60 studies (>37,000 patients) have examined the clinical utility of the NLR to predict patient outcomes in a variety of cancers. The present systematic review examines and comments on the clinical utility of the NLR. The NLR had independent prognostic value in (a) unselected cohorts (1 study of >12,000 patients), (b) operable disease (20 studies, >4000 patients), (c) patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment and resection (5 studies, >1000 patients), (d) patients receiving chemo/radiotherapy (12 studies, >2000 patients) and (e) patients with inoperable disease (6 studies, >1200 patients). These studies originated from ten different countries, in particular UK, Japan, and China. Further, correlative studies (15 studies, >8500 patients) have shown that NLR is elevated in patients with more advanced or aggressive disease evidenced by increased tumour stage, nodal stage, number of metastatic lesions and as such these patients may represent a particularly high-risk patient population. Further studies investigating the tumour and host-derived factors regulating the systemic inflammatory response, in particular the NLR, may identify novel treatment strategies for patients with cancer., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Colorectal cancer screening has been introduced across the UK following several large randomised control trials and a Cochrane review that have shown a reduction in cancer specific mortality with population based Faecal Occult Blood testing. This has been attributed to the detection of more early stage disease. It is well known that in addition to stage at presentation there are a variety of other key factors that determine a patient's outcome following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. For example there are tumour-related factors, such the presence of venous invasion and tumour necrosis, and also host-related factors, both in terms of demographic profile and an elevated circulating host inflammatory response that have been shown to be predictive of a poorer outcome. The present review summarises both the background behind the current screening programme and the observed and anticipated impact that colorectal cancer screening will have on the key determinants of outcome., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The relationship between weight loss, the systemic inflammatory response and quality of life in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was studied. The extent of weight loss, the systemic inflammatory response (C-reactive protein) and quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) was measured in 106 patients with inoperable NSCLC (stage III and IV). Approximately 40% had more than 5% weight loss and almost 80% had elevated circulating C-reactive protein concentrations (>10 mg/l). The functional scale scores of the EORTC-QLQ-C30 were poor (50 or less) and the fatigue symptom score was also poor (50 or more). When patients were grouped according to whether or not they had experienced more than 5% weight loss, Karnofsky performance status and global quality of life were lower (P<0.05) and symptom scores fatigue (P<0.05) and pain (P<0.01) were greater in the weight-losing group. When the weight-stable cancer patients were grouped according to whether or not they had evidence of a systemic inflammatory response, the symptom fatigue was higher in the inflammatory group (P<0.05). In the weight-stable cancer patients C-reactive protein concentration was correlated with fatigue r=0.31 (P<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that both weight loss and the systemic inflammatory response impact on different aspects of quality of life. In particular, fatigue is associated with the presence of a systemic inflammatory response independent of weight loss.

The aim of this study was to examine the inter-relationship between the inflammatory response and resting energy expenditure in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before and after the onset of weight loss. Healthy subjects (n=7) and patients with NSCLC without weight loss (n=12) were studied. Resting energy expenditure adjusted for metabolically active tissue, as measured by total body potassium, was approximately 15% higher in the NSCLC group (P<0.01). Moreover, the resting energy expenditure, correlated with the magnitude of the inflammatory response (r=0.753, P<0.01). Six cancer patients subsequently lost weight and the relationship between resting energy expenditure and the inflammatory response was maintained. These results highlight the impact of the inflammatory response on the increase in the resting energy expenditure which precedes the onset of weight loss in patients with NSCLC.