Impact of Radiation Therapy on Biological Parameters in Cancer Patients: Sub-analysis from the RIT Prospective Epidemiological Study

Abstract

Scarce data investigate the impact of radiotherapy (RT) on biology markers. An analysis of ancillary study of RIT (Radiation Impact on Thromboembolic events) prospective trial was carried out. All patients with non-metastatic solid tumors and treated with radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy in curative and consenting to have blood samples were included. A significant decrease in white blood count, (i.e. lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils and basophils) and platelet counts was observed after RT and maintained at 6 months. Whereas, eosinophils, D-dimers and hemoglobin levels were affected respectively 3 months and 6 months after RT initiation. Conversely, red cells count and CRP level were not affected by RT. This study is an advocacy to develop an understanding of basic immune system in relation with RT.

Keywords: Radiotherapy; biomarkers; cancer; inflammation.