UCSF

PURPOSE: This study reports on the results from our data-driven approach that identified perturbations in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) pathways in oncology patients with and without self-reported cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). METHODS: In a sample of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 1343), the Attentional Function Index (AFI) was used to assess CRCI. Patients were grouped into low (AFI score of < 5) versus high (AFI score of > 7.5) levels of cognitive function. Gene expression analyses were done using RNA-seq (n = 185) and microarray (n = 158) technologies. Pathway impact analysis was used to evaluate for perturbations in biological pathways associated with self-reported CRCI. RESULTS: The combined pathway impact analysis revealed that the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and RAS pathways were significantly perturbed between the patients with low versus high AFI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study suggest that in addition to inflammatory pathways, numerous mechanisms may contribute to the underlying mechanisms for the development and/or persistence of self-reported CRCI.