Cancer chemotherapy-related symptoms: evidence to suggest a role for proinflammatory cytokines.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of the evidence that supports a role for the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the etiology of cancer chemotherapy-related symptoms.


METHODS
Electronic nursing, psychology, and medicine databases; online meeting abstracts; and personal experimental observations.


RESULTS
Substantial evidence implicates the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in the etiology of chemotherapy-related anorexia, cachexia, anemia, pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation into the role of these cytokines in the genesis of chemotherapy-related symptoms is warranted. The development of appropriate animal models likely will be key to understanding the relationship among cancer chemotherapy, proinflammatory cytokines, and symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses traditionally have been leaders in symptom management. The symptoms experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy have a profound negative impact on quality of life and patients' ability to receive prescribed treatments. An understanding of potential mechanisms underlying the physiologic and behavioral consequences of chemotherapy administration will aid nurses in the development of interventions to effectively manage chemotherapy-related symptoms.
Wood
Lisa J
LJ
School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Cancer, Portland, OR, USA. woodl@ohsu.edu
Nail
Lillian M
LM
Gilster
April
A
Winters
Kerri A
KA
Elsea
Collin R
CR