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Takeda K, Umezawa R, Yamamoto T, Takahashi N, Suzuki Y, Kishida K, Omata S, Jingu K. Lymphopenia after palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2024; 65:523-531. [PMID: 38818633 PMCID: PMC11262856 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrae038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Lymphopenia is a well-known side effect of radiotherapy and has been shown to have a negative impact on patient outcomes. However, the extent of lymphopenia caused by palliative radiotherapy and its effect on patient prognosis has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and severity of lymphopenia after palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases and to determine their effects on patients' survival outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis for patients who underwent palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases and could be followed up for 12 weeks. Lymphocyte counts were documented at baseline and throughout the 12-week period following the start of radiotherapy and their medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were recorded. Exploratory analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for lymphopenia and its impact on overall survival (OS). A total of 282 cases that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The median baseline lymphocyte count was 1.26 × 103/μl (IQR: 0.89-1.72 × 103/μl). Peak lymphopenia occurred at a median of 26 days (IQR: 15-45 days) with a median nadir of 0.52 × 103/μl (IQR: 0.31-0.81 × 103/μl). Long-term analysis of patients surviving for 1 year showed that lymphopenia persisted at 1 year after radiotherapy. The main irradiation site, radiation field length and pretreatment lymphocyte count were significantly related to grade 3 or higher lymphopenia. Lymphopenia was identified as a significant predictor of OS by multivariate Cox regression analysis. This study demonstrated the incidence of lymphopenia after palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases and its effect on patients' OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takeda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Miyagi Medical Center, 38-1 Nishi, Ogawara, Shibata 989-1253, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Rei Umezawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
| | - Takaya Yamamoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Takahashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
| | - Yu Suzuki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
| | - Keita Kishida
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
| | - So Omata
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
| | - Keiichi Jingu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Miyagi Japan
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2
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Ghosh A, Dagar A, Bharat RP, Raj J, Shah D, Sharma J, Kumar A, Patil PA, Sharma A, Sharma D, Mallick S. Platelet-to-albumin ratio and radiation-induced lymphopenia-prognostic biomarker for carcinoma esophagus. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2024; 36:4. [PMID: 38311646 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-024-00208-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer has a poor survival outcome with 5-year OS at 16.7% despite treatment. Some inflammation-based prognostic indicators like the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been previously studied as potential biomarker for predicting outcome in esophageal cancer. Recently, platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) has been reported as a promising prognostic factor in gastrointestinal malignancies. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively treated patients of carcinoma esophagus to evaluate the prognostic significance of inflammation-based prognostic indicators-neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and a composite inflammation-nutrition index: platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) in esophageal cancer. Based on previous studies, the optimal cut-off value of PAR was kept at 5.7 × 10^9, and 2.62 for NLR. RESULTS A total of 71 patients of locally advanced esophageal cancer treated between 2019 and 2022, with either neoadjuvant or definitive chemoradiotherapy, were included. Median follow-up time was 19 months [range: 7-44 months]. Median OS and PFS in our study cohort were 11.3 months [range: 7-23 months] and 7.8 months [range: 3-17 months], respectively. In univariate analysis, lower PAR was found to be significantly correlated with shorter survival time (HR = 2.41; 1.3-4.76; p = 0.047). There was no association found between the OS and the NLR [HR = 1.09; 0.95-1.26; p = 0.222]. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regressions found no association between V15, V10, V5, or V2 of spleen and nadir lymphocyte count or between Dmax or Dmean and nadir lymphocyte counts. CONCLUSION Present analysis found a trend toward an inverse association between PAR and OS. PAR, in the not-so-distant future, may evolve as a novel, convenient, and inexpensive prognostic indicator in esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrija Ghosh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhilash Dagar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ram Pukar Bharat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jaswin Raj
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dyuti Shah
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyoti Sharma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Akash Kumar
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Pritee A Patil
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Aman Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dayanand Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Supriya Mallick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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Takeda K, Umezawa R, Yamamoto T, Takahashi N, Suzuki Y, Kishida K, Omata S, Jingu K. Acute hematologic toxicity of radiation therapy - a comprehensive analysis and predictive nomogram. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2023; 64:954-961. [PMID: 37740569 PMCID: PMC10665302 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrad069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
To investigate radiation-induced cytopenia and establish predictive nomograms for hematological toxicity, we reviewed 3786 patients aged 18 or older who received radiation monotherapy between 2010 and 2021 for non-hematologic malignancies. We collected data on patient background, treatment content and hematologic toxicities for 12 weeks after the start of radiotherapy. The patients were randomly divided into training and test groups in 7:3 ratio. In the training group, we conducted ordered logistic regression analysis to identify predictive factors for neutropenia, lymphocytopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Nomograms to predict Grade 2-4 cytopenia were generated and validated in the test group. Grade 3 or higher hematologic toxicities were observed in 9.7, 44.6, 8.3 and 3.1% of patients with neutropenia, lymphocytopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. We identified six factors for neutropenia grade, nine for lymphocytopenia grade and six for anemia grade with statistical significance. In the analysis of thrombocytopenia, the statistical model did not converge because of a small number of events. Nomograms were generated using factors with high predictive power. In evaluating the nomograms, we found high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (neutropenia; 0.75-0.85, lymphopenia; 0.89-0.91 and anemia; 0.85-0.86) in predicting Grade 2-4 cytopenia in the test group. We established predictive nomograms for neutropenia, leukocytopenia and anemia and demonstrated high reproducibility when validated in an independent cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takeda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, South Miyagi Medical Center, 38-1 Nishi, Ogawara, Shibata, Miyagi 989-1253, Japan
| | - Rei Umezawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - Takaya Yamamoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Takahashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - Yu Suzuki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - Keita Kishida
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - So Omata
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
| | - Keiichi Jingu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan
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Laurent PA, Deutsch É. [Radiation-induced lymphopenia: Lymphocytes as a new organ at risk]. Cancer Radiother 2023; 27:511-518. [PMID: 37661506 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2023.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Taking the immune system into account in the fight against tumors has upset the cancer treatment paradigm in the 21st century. Combination treatment strategies associating radiotherapy with immunotherapy are being increasingly implemented in clinical practice. In this context, lymphocytes, whether lymphocytes infiltrating the tumour, circulating blood lymphocytes or lymphocytes residing within the lymph nodes, are key players in cellular and humoral anti-tumor immunity. The significant radiosensitivity of lymphocytes was demonstrated in the early 1990s. Along with the cells of the digestive mucosa, lymphocytes are thus among the most radiosensitive cell types in the body. Compared to the old practices of external radiotherapy, current intensity modulated treatments have allowed a considerable improvement in acute and late toxicity, at the cost of a significant increase in the volume irradiated at low doses. This is not without consequence on the incidence of radiation-induced lymphopenia, with prognostic implications for many tumor types. Thus, in order not to hinder the action of antitumor immunity and the efficacy of immunotherapy, it is essential to consider lymphocytes as a new organ at risk in its own right. In this development, based on current data from the literature, we will begin by justifying the necessary prevention of radiation-induced lymphopenia, before providing the tools currently known to apprehend lymphocytes as a new multicompartments. Finally, we will broaden the perspective by outlining ways to develop research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Laurent
- Service de radiothérapie oncologique, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Inserm, U1030 Molecular Radiation Therapy and Therapeutic Innovation, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Campus, université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - É Deutsch
- Service de radiothérapie oncologique, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Inserm, U1030 Molecular Radiation Therapy and Therapeutic Innovation, Gustave-Roussy Cancer Campus, université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
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5
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Galluzzi L, Aryankalayil MJ, Coleman CN, Formenti SC. Emerging evidence for adapting radiotherapy to immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023:10.1038/s41571-023-00782-x. [PMID: 37280366 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the clinical management of many malignancies but is infrequently associated with durable objective responses when used as a standalone treatment approach, calling for the development of combinatorial regimens with superior efficacy and acceptable toxicity. Radiotherapy, the most commonly used oncological treatment, has attracted considerable attention as a combination partner for immunotherapy owing to its well-known and predictable safety profile, widespread clinical availability, and potential for immunostimulatory effects. However, numerous randomized clinical trials investigating radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations have failed to demonstrate a therapeutic benefit compared with either modality alone. Such a lack of interaction might reflect suboptimal study design, choice of end points and/or administration of radiotherapy according to standard schedules and target volumes. Indeed, radiotherapy has empirically evolved towards radiation doses and fields that enable maximal cancer cell killing with manageable toxicity to healthy tissues, without much consideration of potential radiation-induced immunostimulatory effects. Herein, we propose the concept that successful radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations might require modifications of standard radiotherapy regimens and target volumes to optimally sustain immune fitness and enhance the antitumour immune response in support of meaningful clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Molykutty J Aryankalayil
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - C Norman Coleman
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Silvia C Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Li Y, Fan X, Yu Q, Zhai H, Mi J, Lu R, Jiang G, Wu K. Higher aorta dose increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio resulting in poorer outcomes in stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:555-562. [PMID: 36604971 PMCID: PMC9968602 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study focused on the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the dose of organs at risk in patients with stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy. METHODS The clinical characteristics and dosimetric parameters of 372 patients were collected retrospectively. A high NLR was defined as that ≥1.525. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis was conducted to select appropriate dosimetric parameters. The risk factors of NLR were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Patients with a high NLR had poorer progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.011) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.061). A low NLR (<1.525) predicted better PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.508-0.900, p = 0.007) and OS (HR 0.664, 95% CI: 0.490-0.901, p = 0.009). The aorta dose differed between the low and high NLR groups (all <0.1) in the univariate analysis. An aorta V10 was confirmed as a significant risk factor for a high NLR (odds ratio [OR] 1.029, 95% CI: 1.011-1.048, p = 0.002). Receiving chemotherapy before (OR 0.428, 95% CI: 0.225-0.813, p = 0.010) and during (OR 0.491, 95% CI: 0.296-0.815, p = 0.006) radiotherapy were predictive factors of a low NLR. CONCLUSION The aorta dose was significantly associated with a high NLR. Patients with stage II-III NSCLC with a high NLR had poorer prognosis. Receiving chemotherapy before and/or during radiotherapy predicted a low NLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion CenterFudan University Cancer HospitalShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000)Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer HospitalShanghaiChina,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation TherapyShanghaiChina,Department of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Xingwen Fan
- Department of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Haoyang Zhai
- Department of Medical PhysicsFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Mi
- Department of Medical PhysicsFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Renquan Lu
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Guoliang Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion CenterFudan University Cancer HospitalShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000)Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer HospitalShanghaiChina,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation TherapyShanghaiChina,Department of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Kailiang Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion CenterFudan University Cancer HospitalShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000)Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer HospitalShanghaiChina,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation TherapyShanghaiChina,Department of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation OncologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
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7
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Hu J, Pan M, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Wang M. Functional plasticity of neutrophils after low- or high-dose irradiation in cancer treatment - A mini review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1169670. [PMID: 37063873 PMCID: PMC10098001 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1169670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last several decades, radiotherapy has been considered the primary treatment option for a broad range of cancer types, aimed at prolonging patients' survival and slowing down tumor regression. However, therapeutic outcomes of radiotherapy remain limited, and patients suffer from relapse shortly after radiation. Neutrophils can initiate an immune response to infection by releasing cytokines and chemokines to actively combat pathogens. In tumor immune microenvironment, tumor-derived signals reprogram neutrophils and induce their heterogeneity and functional versatility to promote or inhibit tumor growth. In this review, we present an overview of the typical phenotypes of neutrophils that emerge after exposure to low- and high-dose radiation. These phenotypes hold potential for developing synergistic therapeutic strategies to inhibit immunosuppressive activity and improve the antitumor effects of neutrophils to render radiation therapy as a more effective strategy for cancer patients, through tumor microenvironment modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingyue Pan
- Faculty of Law, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yixi Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yujie Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meidan Wang
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Meidan Wang,
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8
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Venkatesulu B, Giridhar P, Pujari L, Chou B, Lee JH, Block AM, Upadhyay R, Welsh JS, Harkenrider MM, Krishnan S, Verma V, En Hsieh C, Pradhan S, Small W, Solanki AA. Lymphocyte sparing normal tissue effects in the clinic (LymphoTEC): A systematic review of dose constraint considerations to mitigate radiation-related lymphopenia in the era of immunotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2022; 177:81-94. [PMID: 36334694 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiation-related lymphopenia has been associated with suboptimal tumor control rates leading to inferior survival outcomes. To date, no standardized dose constraints are available to limit radiation dose to resident and circulating lymphocyte populations. We undertook this systemic review of the literature to provide a synopsis of the dosimetric predictors of radiation-related lymphopenia in solid malignancies. METHODOLOGY A systematic literature review of PubMed (National Institutes of Health), Cochrane Central (Cochrane collaboration), and Google Scholar was conducted with the following keywords: "radiation", "lymphopenia", "cancer", "dosimetric predictors" with an inclusion deadline of May 31, 2022. Studies that met prespecified inclusion criteria were designated either Good, Fair, or Poor Quality based on the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment. The dosimetric parameters derived from Good Quality studies were tabulated as LymphoTEC dose constraints. Dosimetric parameters derived from Fair and Poor-quality studies were grouped as optional. RESULTS An initial systematic search of the literature yielded 1,632 articles. After screening, a total of 48 studies met inclusion criteria and were divided into the following categories: central nervous system (CNS, 6), thoracic (11), gastrointestinal (26), gynecologic (2), head and neck, breast, and genitourinary (one each) cancers. Lung mean dose, heart mean dose, brain V25, spleen mean dose, estimated dose to immune cells, and bone marrow V10 were among the strongest predictors for severe lymphopenia related to radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Optimizing the delivery of radiation therapy to limit dose to lymphocyte-rich structures may curb the negative oncologic impact of lymphocyte depletion. The dose constraints described herein may be considered for prospective validation and future use in clinical trials to limit risk of radiation-related lymphopenia and possibly improve cancer-associated outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- BhanuPrasad Venkatesulu
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; Edward Hines Veteran affairs hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | | | - Lincoln Pujari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata memorial center, Varanasi, India
| | - Brian Chou
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; Edward Hines Veteran affairs hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jae Han Lee
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Alec M Block
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; Edward Hines Veteran affairs hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rituraj Upadhyay
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - James S Welsh
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; Edward Hines Veteran affairs hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthew M Harkenrider
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson cancer center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cheng En Hsieh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Satyajit Pradhan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata memorial center, Varanasi, India
| | - William Small
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Abhishek A Solanki
- Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; Edward Hines Veteran affairs hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
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9
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Lee SF, Yip PL, Wong A, Ng F, Koh V, Wong LC, Luk H, Ng CK, Lee FAS, Mamon HJ. Splenic irradiation contributes to grade ≥ 3 lymphopenia after adjuvant chemoradiation for stomach cancer. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2022; 36:83-90. [PMID: 35909437 PMCID: PMC9334913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe lymphopenia occurs commonly after adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric cancer. High splenic radiation doses increase the chances of severe lymphopenia. Severe lymphopenia predicts a poorer overall survival and higher risk of infections. The spleen is not routinely considered an organ-at-risk with dosimetric constraint. Applying dose constraints to the spleen might lower the risk of severe lymphopenia.
Introduction Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in gastric cancer inevitably results in an unintentional spleen radiation dose. We aimed to determine the association between the spleen radiation dose and the observed severity of lymphopenia which may affect the clinical outcomes (survival time and infection risk). Methods Patients who received adjuvant CRT for gastric cancer between January 2015 and December 2020 were analyzed. The splenic dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters were reported as mean splenic dose (MSD) and percentage of splenic volume receiving at least × Gray (Gy). Peripheral blood counts were recorded pre- and post-CRT. The development of severe (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0, grade ≥ 3) post-CRT lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count [ALC] < 0.5 K/μL) was assessed by multivariable logistic regression using patient and dosimetric factors. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cumulative incidence of infectious events were estimated and analyzed using the Cox model or competing risk analysis. Results Eighty-four patients with a median follow-up duration of 42 months were analyzed. Pre- and post-CRT median ALC values were 1.8 K/μL (0.9–3.1 K/μL) and 0.9 K/μL (0.0–4.9 K/μL), respectively (P < 0.001). MSD > 40 Gy (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.26; P = 0.041), sex (OR for male to female, 0.25; 95 % CI, 0.09–0.70; P = 0.008), and baseline absolute neutrophil count (OR per 1 unit increase, 1.61; 95 % CI, 1.02–2.58; P = 0.040) were associated with the development of severe post-CRT lymphopenia, which was a risk factor for poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.47; 95 % CI, 1.24–4.92; P = 0.010) and RFS (HR = 2.27; 95 % CI, 1.16–4.46; P = 0.017). The cumulative incidence of infections was higher among severe post-CRT lymphopenia patients (2.53, 95 % CI, 1.03–6.23, P = 0.043). Conclusion High splenic radiation doses increase the odds of severe post-CRT lymphopenia, an independent predictor of lower OS and higher risks of recurrence and infections in gastric cancer patients receiving adjuvant CRT. Therefore, optimizing the splenic DVH parameters may decrease the risk of severe post-CRT lymphopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shing Fung Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong.,Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Pui Lam Yip
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
| | - Aray Wong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
| | - Francesca Ng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
| | - Vicky Koh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Lea Choung Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Hollis Luk
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
| | - Chuk Kwan Ng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
| | | | - Harvey J Mamon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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