Obesity reduces survival rates for childhood leukemia.
Obesity reduces survival rates for childhood leukemia.
The Impact of Obesity on Cancer Treatment: Insights from a Study on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
The growing obesity epidemic not only impacts our physical health but may also have unintended consequences in cancer treatment. A recent study conducted on individuals, both adults and teens, undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), highlighted the potential connection between obesity and treatment outcomes. The study suggests that obesity may play a role in determining the response to different chemotherapy regimens for ALL. This revelation underscores the need for further exploration and understanding of how weight influences survival rates in cancer patients.
Dr. Shai Shimony, an advanced fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and the lead author of the study, shares, “We have known for roughly 15 years that obesity affects survival in pediatric patients treated for ALL, and more recently, we are recognizing a similar relationship in adult populations. But we wanted more granular data on this, to understand why this correlation exists, and how dependent it is on age.”
The study collected data on 388 individuals (average age, 24 years) who were treated with specific pediatric regimens for ALL between 2008 and 2021 at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The research team examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI), age, treatment toxicities, and outcomes.
Surprisingly, nearly 47% of the individuals in the study were found to be overweight or obese. The findings revealed that this group had a significantly higher rate of non-relapse death (12% compared to just under 3% for those with a normal BMI). Additionally, they exhibited a lower event-free survival rate (63% versus 77% at four years) and worse overall survival rates (64% versus 83%) compared to patients with normal BMIs.
However, the study also noted an essential finding regarding age and survival rates. Among patients aged 15 to 29 and those aged 30 to 50 with normal BMI, equivalent survival rates of 83% and 85% were observed, respectively. This observation is particularly consequential as age is often considered a negative prognostic factor for ALL.
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The researchers determined that the main factor contributing to worse outcomes was not disease relapse but rather death without relapse. Moreover, the study identified increased incidences of elevated liver enzymes and blood sugar levels in overweight or obese patients compared to those with normal BMIs (61% versus 42% for liver enzymes and 36% versus 24% for blood sugar).
Interestingly, elevated triglyceride levels, which are fats in the bloodstream, were associated with improved survival. The study attributed these findings to one of the principal chemotherapy medications used in the treatment regimen. This suggests that triglyceride levels could serve as an affordable and readily available biomarker of treatment effectiveness.
Furthermore, the study highlighted the effectiveness of the treatment regimen in 18- to 50-year-old patients with normal BMI. On this note, BMI, waist size, and waist-to-hip ratio were deemed important factors that should be measured and correlated with treatment outcomes.
Dr. Shimony emphasizes the importance of considering measures of obesity as vital variables when determining the most suitable treatment regimens for individual patients. This study sheds light on the impact of obesity on cancer treatment outcomes and emphasizes the need for tailored approaches that consider each patient’s unique characteristics.
Obesity has become a major public health concern, and its impacts extend beyond physical health. Understanding the relationship between obesity and cancer treatment outcomes is vital for developing targeted interventions and improving patient care. The study on acute lymphoblastic leukemia serves as an important step towards unraveling the complex interplay between obesity, cancer, and treatment response. By incorporating obesity as a key consideration in treatment planning, healthcare professionals can strive to optimize outcomes and enhance patient well-being.
More information
The American Cancer Society has more on acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
[SOURCE: Blood Advances, news release, July 11, 2023]
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