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Acute phase response during radiotherapy
M Cengiz1, S Akbulut, I L Atahan
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. mucengiz@hotmail.com
Summary
Radiotherapy increases C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels, indicating an acute phase response. This rise is significant and should be considered in clinical assessments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The acute phase response involves changes in liver-synthesized proteins like C-reactive protein (CRP).
- Elevated CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are indicators of inflammation and the acute phase response.
- Radiotherapy is a common treatment for various cancers, but its impact on inflammatory markers requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels increase during radiotherapy.
- To investigate the correlation between elevated CRP and ESR levels and the occurrence of acute and late radiation morbidity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 51 patients with endometrium and cervical cancer underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.
- Patients received either pelvic radiotherapy or pelvic-paraaortic irradiation with a total dose of 50.4 Gy and 45 Gy, respectively.
- CRP levels and ESR were measured before, during, and after radiotherapy.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in both ESR and CRP levels was observed at the end of radiotherapy (p < 0.001).
- The rise in ESR and CRP was more pronounced in patients treated with pelvic-paraaortic irradiation compared to those receiving pelvic radiation only (p = 0.005 and 0.028).
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy induces an acute phase response, evidenced by increased CRP and ESR levels.
- The findings suggest that radiotherapy itself can be a cause for elevated CRP and ESR.
- These changes should be considered in clinical evaluations, particularly when assessing inflammatory conditions in patients undergoing radiotherapy.