Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42352506›Full record

ReviewCancers2026

Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer: Current State of Knowledge, Mechanisms, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment.

Federica Andreis, Chiara Deori, Valentina Giubileo, Chiara Abeni, Irene Caramella, Sara Cherri, Brunella Di Biasi, Michela Libertini, Silvia Noventa, Chiara Ogliosi and 4 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancers, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Federica AndreisOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2111-3728
Chiara DeoriOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0009-0001-5881-1215
Valentina GiubileoOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0009-0003-0000-1484
Chiara AbeniOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Irene CaramellaOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7422-0119
Sara CherriOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Brunella Di BiasiOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Michela LibertiniOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Silvia NoventaOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7423-6065
Chiara OgliosiOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Ester OnedaOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7861-7882
Tiziana ProchiloOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Fausto Angelo MeriggiOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
Alberto ZaniboniOncology Department, Istituto Ospedaliero Fondazione Poliambulanza, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-0817-4633

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), also known as chemobrain or chemofog, is characterized by subjective and/or objective changes in attention, executive functions, memory, and processing speed in patients with non-CNS cancers, particularly women with breast cancer. This structured narrative review synthesizes current evidence on mechanisms, neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging correlates, clinical and demographic risk factors, emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, and non-pharmacological approaches to CRCI in breast cancer. A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Clinical Key up to May 2026, with emphasis on studies published between 2023 and 2026. Peer-reviewed English-language studies involving adult breast cancer populations and addressing predefined thematic domains of CRCI were considered. Given the heterogeneity of study designs, assessment tools, interventions, and outcomes, the findings were synthesized narratively. Current evidence supports a multifactorial model of CRCI involving neurobiological, treatment-related, psychological, and behavioral mechanisms. Neuroinflammation, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, glial alterations, and structural or functional brain changes may contribute to cognitive symptoms; however, the strength of evidence varies, and many findings remain correlational or preclinical. Non-pharmacological interventions, including cognitive training, physical activity, mindfulness-based and psychological approaches, and multimodal digital programs, appear promising as supportive strategies. However, evidence remains heterogeneous, with benefits more consistently reported for patient-reported outcomes, fatigue, emotional distress, and quality of life than for objective neuropsychological performance. CRCI in breast cancer should be approached as a heterogeneous condition requiring early recognition, standardized assessment, and multidisciplinary supportive care. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, harmonized endpoints, and a clearer distinction between subjective and objective outcomes.

Indexed as

breast cancercancer-related cognitive impairmentchemobraincognitive rehabilitationmindfulness-based interventionsneuroinflammationphysical exercisequality of life

Identifiers

PMID42352506
PMCPMC13297273

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.