Abstract
Objective
The aim of the research was to study the effects of low-dose splenic irradiation and radiotherapy on immune system of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods
Twelve cases of stage III NSCLC in Tumor Radiotherapy Center of our hospital (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College Qingdao University, China) were collected from July 2011 to July 2012; all patients were under 75 years old with clear pathology, measurable lesions and good personal statement. They were randomly divided into combined treatment group (D1 + D2) and control group (D1). The control group (D1) only received radiotherapy to the chest; combined treatment group (D1 + D2) received low-dose splenic irradiation plus conventional dose irradiation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood T lymphocyte immune indexes of patients before, during and after the treatment, classification by five blood cell analyzer was used to determine white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin and platelet count. The radiation induced toxicity including esophagitis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal reaction was observed, as well as the dose when it happened.
Results
There was no significant difference in the ratio between two groups in cells CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ after radiotherapy (P > 0.05). There was no change in these indicators in combined treatment group after treatment (P > 0.05), but it decreased in control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidences of radiation esophagitis, pneumonia, gastrointestinal reactions and bone marrow suppression between two groups (P > 0.05), but the patients in combined treatment group seemed to tolerate high dose well (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Low-dose splenic irradiation combined with radiotherapy to the chest can alleviate the injury degree of acute radiation induced the toxicity of locally advanced NSCLC patients, through affect the patient’s immune function.
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Liu, J., Yu, H., Shang, Q. et al. The effects of low-dose splenic irradiation and radiotherapy on immune system of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Chin. -Ger. J. Clin. Oncol. 12, 51–55 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-012-1100-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-012-1100-z