Alterations in Patterns of Gene Expression and Perturbed Pathways in the Gut-Brain Axis Are Associated With Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

Komal P. Singh, Anand Dhruva, Elena Flowers, Steven M. Paul, Marilyn J. Hammer, Fay Wright, Frances Cartwright, Yvette P. Conley, Michelle Melisko, Jon D. Levine, Christine Miaskowski, Kord M. Kober

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: Despite current advances in antiemetic treatments, approximately 50% of oncology patients experience chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differentially expressed genes and perturbed pathways associated with the gut-brain axis (GBA) across two independent samples of oncology patients who did and did not experience CIN. Methods: Oncology patients (n = 735) completed study questionnaires in the week before their second or third cycle of chemotherapy. CIN occurrence was assessed using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Gene expression analyses were performed in two independent samples using ribonucleic acid sequencing (Sample 1, n = 357) and microarray (Sample 2, n = 352) methodologies. Fisher's combined probability method was used to determine genes that were differentially expressed and pathways that were perturbed between the two nausea groups across both samples. Results: CIN was reported by 63.6% of the patients in Sample 1 and 48.9% of the patients in Sample 2. Across the two samples, 703 genes were differentially expressed, and 37 pathways were found to be perturbed between the two CIN groups. We identified nine perturbed pathways that are involved in mechanisms associated with alterations in the GBA (i.e., mucosal inflammation, disruption of gut microbiome). Conclusion: Persistent CIN remains a significant clinical problem. Our study is the first to identify novel GBA-related pathways associated with the occurrence of CIN. Our findings warrant confirmation and suggest directions for future clinical studies to decrease CIN occurrence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1248-1259.e5
JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume59
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • cancer
  • differential gene expression
  • gut microbiome
  • gut-brain axis
  • mucosal inflammation
  • nausea
  • pathway perturbation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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