5553 - Cytokine genetic variations and worse quality of life among family caregivers of head and neck cancer patients in palliative care

Background

High inflammatory cytokine levels can lead to severe fatigue and alter the quality of life (QoL) of family caregivers (FCGs) of patients with head and neck cancer in palliative care (HNCPC). In addition, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in cytokine genes, such as IL1B c-598T>C (rs16944), IL1R2 c.-2009G>A (rs4141134), IL6 c.-237G>C (rs1800795), and TREML2 c.430A>G (rs3747742), can influence individual differences in cytokine production. However, the roles of the referred SNVs on the QoL of FCGs are unknown. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of the referred SNVs in the QoL of FCGs of patients with HNCPC.

Methods

Genomic DNA of 100 FCGs of patients with HNCPC was analyzed by real-time PCR to identify the genotypes. QoL was measured with the abbreviated World Health Organization QoL questionnaire (WHOQOL-bref). The cut-off of the score was lower than 60 for worse QoL. Differences between groups were assessed by Fisher’s exact test, chi-square (bivariate analysis), and multiple linear regression.

Results

FCGs who carried IL6 GG (62.8% vs. 49.2%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-7.44, p = 0.04) and TREML2 AA (60.0% vs. 44.6%, OR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.03-7.01, p = 0.04) had worse QoL for the overall QoL domain than non-carriers. The frequency of the genotype TREML2 AA was higher in FCGs with lower score for physical domain (61.0% vs. 42.4%, OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.05-6.87, p = 0.03). FCGs who carried IL1B TT genotype had worse QoL for the social domain than others (48.9% vs. 32.1%, OR: 3.49, 95% CI: 1.03-7.01, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Genotypes of the IL1B, IL6, and TREML genes, associated with higher inflammatory levels, seem to influence the QoL of FCGs. We believe that our results can contribute to identify FCGs with worse QoL for physical, psychological, and social aspects and provide better and more specialized care.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

FAPESP.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.