Publication
Title
Neurotoxic and neuroprotective metabolites of kynurenine in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with interferon-: course and relationship with psychiatric status
Author
Abstract
Aims: Immunotherapy with interferon-á (IFN-á) is associated with psychiatric side-effects, including depression. One of the putative pathways underlying these psychiatric side-effects involves tryptophan (TRP) metabolism. Cytokines including IFN-á induce the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which converts TRP to kynurenine (KYN), leading to a shortage of serotonin (5-HT). In addition, the production of neurotoxic metabolites of KYN such as 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid (QA) might increase and contribute to IFN-á-induced psychopathology. In contrast, other catabolites of KYN, such as kynurenic acid (KA), are thought to have neuroprotective properties. Methods: In a group of 24 patients treated with standard IFN-á for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), combined psychiatric and laboratory assessments were performed at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks, and at 6 months. Results: No psychopathology was observed, despite an increase in neurotoxic challenge as reflected in indices for the balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective metabolites of KYN. Conclusions: The present hypothesis that a shift in the balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective metabolites of KYN underlies the neuropsychiatric side-effects of IFN-á-based immunotherapy, is neither supported nor rejected.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences. - Tokyo
Publication
Tokyo : 2008
ISSN
1323-1316
DOI
10.1111/J.1440-1819.2008.01854.X
Volume/pages
62 :5 (2008) , p. 597-602
ISI
000259685000016
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 27.05.2009
Last edited 23.08.2022
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