Abstract 7359: Systemic chronic inflammation is associated with quality of life in the Cancer Disparities Research Network
Authors: Holli Ann Loomans-Kropp, Yengeniya Gokun, Priya Das, Aaliyah Beneby, Ting-Yuan Cheng, Electra Paskett, Cancer Disparities Research Network Cohort Workgroup
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the association between chronic inflammatory (CI) biomarkers and self-reported quality of life (QoL) measurements among medically underserved and minority individuals in the Cancer Disparities Research Network (CDRN). Methods: We utilized 190 plasma samples collected as part of the CDRN. Briefly, the CDRN was a nationwide initiative intended to improve participation of minority and underserved populations in biobanking research. Eligibility criteria for CDRN was age 40-74, living in an Appalachian County or self-identified as African American (AA)/Black, Hispanic, or Asian, and meeting one of the following criteria: living in a medically underserved area, low literacy, a household income below the federal poverty level in 2015 or being uninsured or receiving subsidized health insurance. For inclusion in the current study, participants needed to have a completed baseline survey and provided a blood sample. CI biomarkers were measured using the ProcartaPlex Human Inflammation Panel 20plex. Concentrations were log-transformed prior to analysis. Self-reported QoL in the past week was measured using a Likert scale (0-10) for anxiety, fatigue, and distress, which were categorized as none, mild, moderate, and severe. Spearman correlation coefficients and adjusted generalized linear regressions were used to assess the relationships between QoL measures and biomarkers. Model covariates included socioeconomic status, age, sex, race, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, frequency of moderate exercise, and history of arthritis, asthma, depression, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Results: Among the participants included in our study, 32% were White, 34% were AA/Black, 30% Asian, and 4% Other. We found statistically significant positive correlations between 10 (30.3%) CI biomarkers and anxiety, 6 (18.1%) biomarkers and fatigue, and 4 (12.1%) biomarkers and distress. gp130 was strongly correlated with anxiety and APRIL, MMP-1, and IL-19, were correlated with all three measures (anxiety, fatigue, distress). Adjusted results showed that moderate distress was associated with higher concentrations of APRIL (p&amp;lt;0.01), while mild and moderate anxiety were associated with higher concentrations of MMP-1 (p=0.01 and p=0.04, respectively). Mild (p=0.03), moderate (p=0.04), and severe (p=0.02) anxiety was associated with higher gp130 concentration. Race was a significant covariate in our models, suggesting baseline differences in CI markers across self-reported race. Conclusions: We demonstrated the association between CI biomarkers APRIL, MMP-, 1 IL-19, and gp130 with self-reported QoL measures, specifically anxiety and distress. Moreover, we showed that subjective QoL perceptions was associated with systemic CI, suggesting the importance of understanding the mind-body inflammatory connection. Citation Format: Holli Ann Loomans-Kropp, Yengeniya Gokun, Priya Das, Aaliyah Beneby, Ting-Yuan Cheng, Electra Paskett, Cancer Disparities Research Network Cohort Workgroup. Systemic chronic inflammation is associated with quality of life in the Cancer Disparities Research Network [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7359.