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Publications

Journal Article Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 39939471 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-025-09233-y

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with accelerometer-measured physical activity levels in breast cancer survivors.

Support Care Cancer 33(3):183

Authors: Alejandro Álvarez-Bustos, María Romero-Elías, Silvia Rosado García, Marta Méndez-Otero, Héctor Cebolla-Boado, Antonio José Sánchez-López, Rocio Navarro, Ana Ruiz-Casado

Affiliations

  • Biomedical Research Center Network for Frailty and Healthy Ageing (CIBERFES), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
  • Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
  • Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana Health Research Institute, IDIPHISA, Madrid, Spain.
  • Biobank, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain. Cell Culture Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain.
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28006, Madrid, Spain.
  • Biobank, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain.
  • Neuroimmunology Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana, Madrid, Spain.
  • Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, IDIPHISA, 28222, Madrid, Spain.
  • Puerta de Hierro-Segovia de Arana Health Research Institute, IDIPHISA, Madrid, Spain. Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, IDIPHISA, 28222, Madrid, Spain.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity (PA) has been associated with remarkable benefits in breast cancer (BC) survivors. However, the physiological mechanisms that underlie these benefits are not well understood and the published results are inconsistent and weak. Some authors suggest that some biomarkers, particularly those related with inflammation, insulin resistance, or sexual hormones may account for some of these benefits. Most studies have used self-reported tools to assess PA.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between objectively assessed PA and potentially related biomarkers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in a single hospital in Madrid, Spain. Candidates were BC survivors older than 18, who had finished their treatments. PA was assessed through accelerometers. Biomarkers related with insulin resistance (glucose, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3), inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF, sexual hormones (progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, androsterone), hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) (cortisol), autonomic nervous system (ANS) (noradrenaline), and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) were assessed.

RESULTS

Data of 91 women (mean age: 51.4 ± 8.1 years, mean BMI (kg/m): 25.9 ± 4.5) were analyzed. Sedentary time (β (SE): - 0.001 (0.001), p-value 0.040) and vigorous PA time (β (SE): 0.010 (0.004), p-value 0.026) were significantly associated with NLR, but not with other biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

PA was not associated with biomarkers related to insulin resistance, sexual hormones, HPA, ANS, and oxidative stress. Neither was it associated with typical biomarkers of inflammation. An unexpected but consistent direct association with NLR was found. This relationship deserves further confirmation.

MeSH

Exercise, Cancer Survivors, Insulin Resistance, Insulin, Breast Neoplasms, Lymphocytes, Stress, Physiological, Neoplasms, Neutrophils, Oxidative Stress, Biomarkers, Hormones, Deoxyguanosine, Breast, Palliative Care