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Changes in natural killer cell activity by external radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy
Hideya Yamazaki1, Yasuo Yoshioka, Takehiro Inoue
1Division of Multidisciplinary Radiotherapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. hideya10@hotmail.com
Oncology Reports
|February 12, 2002
Summary
Radiotherapy, particularly external beams, significantly reduces natural killer (NK) cell activity and blood counts. However, brachytherapy, a targeted radiation technique, demonstrates minimal impact on NK cell function, suggesting a more favorable immune profile.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Radiation Therapy
Background:
- Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in cancer treatment.
- Understanding its impact on the immune system, specifically natural killer (NK) cells, is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
- NK cells play a vital role in immune surveillance and response against cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of radiotherapy, with a focus on brachytherapy, on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells.
- To compare the influence of external beam radiotherapy versus brachytherapy on NK cell function.
Main Methods:
- Studied 27 cancer patients (cervical, prostate, esophageal, tongue) undergoing radiotherapy with or without brachytherapy.
- Measured NK cell activity and counts of specific immune cells (white blood cells, lymphocytes, CD16+, CD56+) before and after treatment.
- Utilized Ir-192 and Cs-137 for brachytherapy and 10 MV X-rays for external radiotherapy.
Main Results:
- Radiotherapy significantly reduced white blood cell, lymphocyte, and CD16+ cell counts.
- Overall NK cell activity decreased from 37% to 30% post-radiotherapy (p=0.001).
- External radiotherapy markedly suppressed NK activity (33% to 23%), while interstitial brachytherapy showed minimal change (42% to 39%).
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy, especially external beam, impairs NK cell activity and reduces key immune cell populations.
- Brachytherapy appears to have a less detrimental effect on NK cell activity compared to external radiotherapy.
- These findings suggest that brachytherapy may preserve immune function more effectively during cancer treatment.