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The High Prevalence of Functional Complement Defects Induced by Chemotherapy
Mischa P Keizer1, Angela M Kamp2, Cathelijn Aarts2
1Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory AMC, Department of Immunopathology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Academic Medical Center (AMC), Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Immunology
|November 2, 2016
Summary
Oncology patients frequently develop acquired complement defects due to chemotherapy, impacting their immune defense. Certain treatments, like high-dose methotrexate, significantly reduce complement function, increasing infection risk.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Complement System
Background:
- Oncology patients face increased infection risk due to chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression impacting non-cellular host defense.
- Limited data exists on complement system functionality in cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate innate complement function in oncology patients.
- To correlate complement function with malignancy type and specific therapies longitudinally.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center study involved collecting blood samples from 48 oncology patients.
- Samples were collected before, during, and after chemotherapy and/or treatment for febrile neutropenia.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of patients exhibited acquired complement defects, with 42.6% showing defects in both alternative and classical pathways.
- Specific chemotherapy protocols, including those for leukemia, osteosarcoma, and medulloblastoma, were associated with widespread complement function reduction.
- High-dose methotrexate and ifosfamide treatments strongly correlated with reduced complement functionality.
Conclusions:
- Acquired complement defects are common in oncology patients and can be linked to specific chemotherapeutic agents.
- Further research is necessary to understand the clinical implications of these defects on treatment outcomes and infection risk.
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