From the Guidelines
Systemic inflammation is a known risk factor for the development of various types of cancer, including renal cell carcinoma, as it creates an environment that promotes DNA damage and abnormal cell growth. The relationship between systemic inflammation and cancer development is complex and involves multiple pathways, including altered protein metabolism, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance, as described in the ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients 1. Some key points to consider include:
- Systemic inflammation is associated with altered protein turnover, loss of fat and muscle mass, and increased production of acute phase proteins, which can contribute to cancer development and progression 1.
- Inflammatory conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders, are associated with increased kidney cancer risk, highlighting the importance of managing underlying inflammation to reduce cancer risk.
- Lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and a balanced diet, may help reduce systemic inflammation and potentially lower kidney cancer risk.
- The ESPEN guidelines emphasize the importance of combined nutrition and physical therapy to maintain or gain muscle mass, which is critical for cancer patients, as muscle mass below certain values is strongly associated with mortality and complications 1. Overall, while the exact mechanisms by which systemic inflammation contributes to renal cell carcinoma are not fully understood, the available evidence suggests that managing underlying inflammatory conditions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer.
From the Research
Systemic Inflammation and Renal Cell Carcinoma
- Systemic inflammation has been linked to the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in several studies 2, 3.
- A study published in Cancer Research found that acute kidney injury-induced systemic inflammation was associated with the formation of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma in genetically modified mice 2.
- The study also found that blockade of CXCL1-mediated signaling inhibited the emergence of kidney tumors in mice subjected to ischemic kidney injury, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing RCC 2.
- Another study published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology discussed the role of inflammation in kidney cancer, including the involvement of inflammatory signaling pathways and immune cells in tumor development and progression 3.
Inflammatory Signaling Pathways and Immune Cells
- The study in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology highlighted the importance of understanding the mechanisms of immune escape in RCC, including the role of inflammatory immune cells and cytokines 3.
- The study also discussed the involvement of various inflammatory signaling pathways, including VHL, hypoxia, TNF-α, STAT, and TGF-β, in tumor development and progression 3.
- Additionally, the study mentioned the role of select inflammatory molecules, such as pVHL, TGFb, IL6, and chemokines, in promoting cell transformation, survival, proliferation of tumor cells, and metastasis 3.
Clinical Evidence and Mortality Risk
- A large multi-center longitudinal study published in Inflammation Research found that elevated systemic immune inflammation level increased the risk of total and cause-specific mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease 4.
- The study found that higher systemic immune inflammation index (SII) levels were associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among CKD patients 4.
- Another study published in Seminars in Dialysis discussed the relationship between inflammation and outcomes in dialysis patients, including the association between increased inflammatory markers and adverse clinical outcomes 5.