Biochemical indicators of inflammatory response in leukemia patients with picc-associated phlebitis: Evaluation of basic fibroblast growth factor combined with light therapy.

Abstract

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)associated phlebitis is a common complication in leukemia treatment, closely related to inflammatory responses. Current standard management, primarily relying on catheter removal and anti-inflammatory drugs, often demonstrates insufficient efficacy in rapidly controlling inflammation, resolving symptoms, and preventing recurrence. Moreover, there is a notable lack of objective, biomarker-driven monitoring methods to guide and evaluate therapy. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical changes in key inflammatory markers - C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) - in patients with PICC-associated phlebitis, and to evaluate their value in monitoring the efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) combined with light therapy, a novel approach proposed to address these limitations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 65 leukemia patients with PICC-associated phlebitis was analyzed. Patients were divided into an intervention group (bFGF + light therapy, n=33) and a control group (standard care, n=32). Inflammatory markers (CRP, PCT, ESR, IL-6) were measured before and after 7 days of treatment using standardized laboratory assays. Phlebitis grading, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, and EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life scores were also assessed.

Results: By day 7, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in CRP (69.9% vs 28.2%), PCT (71.2% vs 4.4%), ESR (69.7% vs 18.9%), and IL-6 (81.1% vs 14.5%) compared with controls (all P<0.001). These biochemical improvements paralleled reductions in phlebitis severity and pain, and correlated with enhanced quality of life scores.

Conclusions: CRP, PCT, ESR, and IL-6 serve as sensitive biochemical indicators for evaluating treatment response in PICC-associated phlebitis. The findings highlight the clinical utility of these laboratory markers in monitoring therapeutic efficacy and suggest that bFGF combined with light therapy exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects in leukemia patients, offering a promising alternative to conventional strategies.