Decongestion improves cell-mediated immunity in postmastectomy arm lymphoedema: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Lymphedema Research

Background:

• Chronic lymphoedematous limbs are susceptible to infections and malignancies.
• Impaired cell-mediated immunity is linked to lymphoedema, affecting defense against pathogens and tumor cells.
• Breast cancer treatment-related lymphoedema (BCRL) often involves compromised immune function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if decongestive lymphoedema therapy can enhance cell-mediated immunity in patients with BCRL.
• To assess the impact of decongestive lymphatic therapy on immune response in affected limbs.

Main Methods:

• Eight women with unilateral BCRL participated.
• Tuberculin skin tests (TST) were administered to affected and unaffected forearms at varying doses (0.5, 1, 5 units).
• Arm volumes were measured, decongestive lymphatic therapy was applied for 10 days, and TST/volumetry were repeated.

Main Results:

• Baseline TST showed significantly smaller indurations on affected limbs compared to healthy limbs (P < 0.05).
• Following decongestive therapy, TST sizes significantly increased in the affected limbs at 1:1 and 1:5 dilutions (P < 0.05).
• Arm volume measurements were also conducted to assess lymphedema reduction.

Conclusions:

• Decongestive lymphatic therapy demonstrated a significant positive effect on TST responses in BCRL patients.
• The therapy appears to partially restore the suppressed cellular immune function observed in BCRL.
• These findings suggest decongestive therapy as a potential adjunctive treatment for improving immune status in BCRL.