[Plasma concentration of leptin, neuropeptide Y and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with cancers, before and after radio- and chemotherapy].

In patients with cancers progressive reduction of body mass is frequently recent. Pathogenesis of cachexia in patients with cancer is multifactorial. Such factors as cytokines, peptides relieved by tumor mass and different forms of treatment as radio or chemotherapy may play a major role in the pathogenesis of cachexia in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between body fat and lean mass and plasma leptin, NPY and TNF concentrations in patients with cancer of oral cavity and pharynx, cancer of larynx and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NIL). 30 patients (10 with cancer of oral cavity and pharynx, 10 with cancer of larynx and 10 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma) were enrolled into this study. Mean age of all cancer patients was 50 +/- 2.9 years (from 18 to 76 years). The control group consisted of 29 healthy subjects with a means age 48 +/- 3.5 years (from 18 to 75 years), properly chosen according to the body weight, BMI, gender and age as above mentioned groups of patients with cancer. In control and study groups body fat and not-fat mass was assessed before and after treatment using the bioelectrical impedance method. Before oncological therapy patients with cancer did not differ from healthy subject with regard to body weight and body mass index. After treatment significant: decrease of body weight, body fat mass and BMI was observed. Serum leptin, NPY and TNF concentrations were analysed in healthy subjects and patients with cancer before and after treatment. Before oncological treatment significantly lower serum leptin concentration in comparison to leptinaemia in control group was found. In contrast to serum leptin, NPY serum concentration was similar in patients with cancer and in control subjects. Serum concentration of TNF was significantly higher in patients with cancer in comparison to subjects of control group. After oncological treatment, serum leptin and NPY concentration did not change significantly. In contrast, serum TNF concentration decreased significantly after oncological therapy. From the results obtained in this study we can conclude, that in patients with cancer secretion of leptin is decreased in relation to body fat mass. However, contribution of this hormone to pathogenesis of cancer induced anorexia seems not to proven. From the other side, the role of TNF in pathogenesis of disregulation of leptin secretion seems to be very likely. After chemo or radiotherapy, serum NPY concentration did not change significantly. After this oncological treatment the relationship between serum leptin concentration and body mass is no longer significant.