Mitochondrial DNA and fatigue

Fatigue is a problem frequently experienced by cancer patients. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of fatigue is still unknown. A few studies show that the administration of chemotherapy is associated with changes in the DNA of mitochondria (mtDNA), small organelles responsible for the energy production of the cell. However, whether chemotherapy changes mtDNA in healthy cells and which consequences that may bear have not been investigated. We hypothesize that chemotherapy for metastatic germ cell cancer of the testis induces mitochondrial impairment and/or off-target changes in mitochondrial DNA of healthy cells which possibly persists after completion of chemotherapy regimen. If so, this might contribute to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of cancer-related fatigue.

We hypothesize that changes in mitochondrial DNA and functional mitochondrial defects are detectable in blood cells during and after treatment with BEP-chemotherapy.

- Before the administration of the first cycle chemotherapy

- Before the administration of the second cycle chemotherapy

- Before the administration of the third cycle chemotherapy

- At the second follow-up visit after completing chemotherapy (±14 weeks)

Blood draw (10mL of blood) for collection of peripheral white blood cells to study mitochondrial functioning and DNA quality before the administration of each BEP cycle (3x) and at follow-up (1x).