Pletnikoff PP, et al. - The link between prediagnostic inflammatory markers and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with cancer mortality was comprehensively assessed in this study. No association was illustrated between the joint impact of C–reactive protein (CRP) and CRF with cancer mortality. The joint impact of high leukocyte count and low CRF increased the risk of cancer death. Hence, it served as a better predictor of cancer death compared to the joint impact of CRP and CRF.

Methods

• The enrolled candidates were 2270 men from Eastern Finland with no cancer history at baseline.
• CRP, leukocyte count, and CRF data were obtained at baseline.
• Blood leukocyte count was measured with a cell counter, and serum CRP concentrations were measured via an immunometric assay.
• The highest value or plateau of directly measured oxygen consumption by a respiratory gas analyzer during an incremental exercise test to exhaustion elucidated CRF.

Results

• Over an average follow-up of 22 years, 272 cases of cancer mortality occurred.
• In a multivariate model, the joint impact of high leukocyte count (>5.40 × 109/L) and low CRF (VO₂max < 30.08 mL kg^-1 min^-1) exhibited a 1.85-fold (95% CI 1.30-2.63, P < .01) increased risk for cancer death compared to men with low leukocyte count (<5.40 × 109/L) and high CRF (VO₂max > 30.08 mL kg min^-1).