Genomic Variants Associated With Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common stressful side effect caused by cancer and cancer treatments. Although CRF causes a significant burden to quality of life, no pharmacologic interventions are available because the mechanism remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review analyzed the genomic variants that have been found to be associated with CRF.

METHODS: A search for peer-reviewed articles through PubMed, EBSCOhost, and DePaul WorldCat Libraries Worldwide yielded 16 published studies.

FINDINGS: The majority of genomic variants demonstrated that the inflammatory and immune response pathways, including the neuro-proinflammatory cytokine pathway, have statistically significant associations with CRF. Additional genomic studies are still needed to validate the findings in this systematic review. The exact biologic underpinnings that contribute to the development of CRF remain unknown.