Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue

Abstracts: Objective: This study aims to elucidate the impact of repeated whole-body computed tomography (CT) scans on systemic immunity, the tumor immune microenvironment, and tumor control. This inquiry was prompted by clinical observations indicating a decrease in the levels of IFN-β and IFN-γ i...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jigang Dong, Chengrui Fu, Minghao Li, Zhongtang Wang, Baosheng Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Translational Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936523325000579
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstracts: Objective: This study aims to elucidate the impact of repeated whole-body computed tomography (CT) scans on systemic immunity, the tumor immune microenvironment, and tumor control. This inquiry was prompted by clinical observations indicating a decrease in the levels of IFN-β and IFN-γ in patients' blood following whole-body CT scans. Methods: A Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) mouse model was established and divided into two groups: a control group and a group subjected to multiple whole-body CT scanning radiation (WBCTSs). The study monitored tumor growth trends across both groups and employed a comprehensive set of analytical techniques—including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry analysis, immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, and single-cell sequencing—to assess differences in cytokine profiles (IFN-β and IFN-γ), proportions of key immune cells, and gene expression variations between the groups. Results: Repeated CT scan radiation does not promote tumor progression. In tumor tissues subjected to multiple CT scans, an increase in the proportion of CD8+ T cells, elevated interferon levels, and up-regulation of genes associated with killing in CD8+ T cells and genes associated with Ifnb in macrophages were observed. In contrast, radiation from multiple whole-body CT scans resulted in a decrease in the proportion of CD8+ T cells in the blood and spleen, a decrease in serum interferon levels, and down-regulation of killing-related genes in CD8+ T cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that repeated whole-body CT scanning radiation induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation in tumor tissues. Multiple repeated CT scans do not promote tumor progression.
ISSN:1936-5233