Observational studyThe oncologist2025
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment and its long-term development in patients with breast cancer: results from the observational CICARO study.
Observational study in The oncologist, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed.
- Cancer-related cognitive impairment in adult cancer survivors: a clinical practice review for healthcare providers.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Review
- Working Memory Impairment Induced by Chemotherapy-A Narrative Review.Brain sciences · 2026Review
- Review
- Methodological considerations and biological context.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Bioinformatic Analysis of microRNAs Associated with Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Integration of Gene Networks and Neuroinflammatory Pathways.Biomedicines · 2026Article
- Repurposing Imeglimin for Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation.Cellular and molecular neurobiology · 2026Review
- Neuron-specific transcriptomic dysregulation in methotrexate-induced cognitive impairment revealed by SnRNA-seq.International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2026Article
- The potential of microbiome modulators to improve quality of life in cancer survivors through gut microbiome-immune interactions.Frontiers in molecular neuroscience · 2026Review
- Unveiling age-differentiated pathways: spiritual well-being links to quality of life in breast cancer survivors through network analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Serum GFAP as a Potential Biomarker for Chemotherapy-Associated Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers: An Exploratory Study.Journal of gastrointestinal cancer · 2025Observational
- Cognitive flexibility, memory, and attention in colorectal cancer: findings from a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.BMC cancer · 2025Article
- Effect of Fangxia-Dihuang Decoction on doxorubicin-induced cognitive impairment in breast cancer animal model.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundChemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) is a well-recognized side effect of breast cancer treatment. However, prospective long-term evaluations of CICI using standardized neuropsychological tests are scarce. PATIENTS AND
methodsThis prospective longitudinal cohort study investigated cognitive dysfunction and its impact on quality of life and everyday functioning in patients with breast cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy compared to patients with breast cancer without chemotherapy. Assessment occurred prior to chemotherapy, postchemotherapy (median 6 months), and 2-3 years later. We used standardized neuropsychological tests, questionnaires, and scales to assess patients' quality of life and functioning. Additionally, serum analysis for neurodegenerative markers and autoantibodies was conducted.
resultsWe included n = 53 patients. Overall cognitive function declined statistically significantly (P = .046) postchemotherapy compared to control patients, mostly driven by a reduced figural memory (P = .011). Patients who received chemotherapy showed a greater reduction in quality of life (increased fatigue symptoms, P = .023; reduced Karnofsky index, P < .001); however, without a statistically significant effect on cognitive decline. The neurodegenerative markers Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and phosphorylated Neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) increased statistically significantly (P < .001) postchemotherapy and pNfH correlated with overall cognitive function. After 2-3 years, both cognitive performance and quality of life were comparable between chemotherapy-treated and control patients.
conclusionOur findings suggest that chemotherapy statistically significantly contributes to overall cognitive dysfunction in patients with breast cancer, which disappears after 2-3 years, indicating a recovery in both objectively measurable cognitive function and subjective quality of life. Future research should examine larger sample sizes and explore screening indicators, particularly pNfH.
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