LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF BODY CELL MASS DEPLETION AND THE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN CANCER-PATIENTS

There is recent evidence that the inflammatory response may be importa nt in the disproportionate loss of body cell mass in cancer patients. To examine this further, 18 male patients with lung or gastrointestina l cancer were studied over a 12-week-period. In addition to weight, an thropometry, C-reactive protein (marker of the inflammatory response), albumin, and total body potassium were measured at baseline and 12 we eks. When those patients who lost total body potassium were compared w ith those who had not, there was a significant increase in the baselin e and 12-week C-reactive protein concentrations (p < 0.05). The reduct ion in total body potassium was also associated with a reduction in tr iceps skinfold thickness (p < 0.05). There were significant correlatio ns between the mean C-reactive protein concentration and the relative (r = -0.846 p < 0.001) and absolute (r = -0.806 p < 0.001) change in t otal body potassium over the follow-up period This study demonstrates the association of a chronic inflammatory response with the rate of lo ss of body cell mass observed in cancer patients.