The impact of photodynamic therapy on cellular immune function in patients with cervical HPV infection

Cervical Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a common sexually transmitted infection, can lead to cervical cancer. This study investigates the impact of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) on cellular immune function in cervical HPV-infected patients.

From October 2022 to February 2023, 60 patients with cervical HPV infection were randomly assigned to a control group (conventional treatment) or a PDT group (PDT treatment), each with 30 patients. Peripheral blood samples and cervical tissue were collected before treatment, at 3 months, and at 6 months post-treatment. Flow cytometry assessed T-cell subsets (CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD3⁺), and ELISA measured cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8).

Baseline characteristics were similar between the PDT and control groups. The PDT group showed significantly higher HPV clearance rates at 3-months (70.00 %) and 6 months (100.00 %) compared to the control group 43.33 % and 80.00 %, respectively (p < 0.05). PDT significantly increased CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ cell levels at 3- and 6-months post-treatment compared to controls (p < 0.05). CD8⁺ levels and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio also significantly increased in the PDT group at 6 months. Additionally, PDT significantly reduced IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels at 3- and 6-months post-treatment (p < 0.05).

PDT enhances cellular immune function in cervical HPV-infected patients by increasing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings highlight the potential of PDT in modulating immune responses and improving therapeutic strategies for cervical HPV infection.