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...

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Main Authors: Jigang Dong, Chengrui Fu, Minghao Li, Zhongtang Wang, Baosheng Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Translational Oncology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936523325000579
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author Jigang Dong
Chengrui Fu
Minghao Li
Zhongtang Wang
Baosheng Li
author_facet Jigang Dong
Chengrui Fu
Minghao Li
Zhongtang Wang
Baosheng Li
author_sort Jigang Dong
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-7755dd0e380b428a83d80fe04dec9ff62025-08-20T02:03:46ZengElsevierTranslational Oncology1936-52332025-04-015410232610.1016/j.tranon.2025.102326Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissueJigang Dong0Chengrui Fu1Minghao Li2Zhongtang Wang3Baosheng Li4Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300000, China; Qingdao People's Hospital Group (Jiaozhou), Jiaozhou Central Hospital of Qingdao. ChinaTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300000, China; Department of Radiotherapy. Shandong Cancer Hospital, Jinan, 250000. ChinaDepartment of Radiotherapy. Shandong Cancer Hospital, Jinan, 250000. ChinaDepartment of Radiotherapy. Shandong Cancer Hospital, Jinan, 250000. ChinaDepartment of Radiotherapy, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Jinan, China; Corresponding author.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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936523325000579Whole-body CT scanning radiationLow-dose radiationIFNTumor microenvironment
spellingShingle Jigang Dong
Chengrui Fu
Minghao Li
Zhongtang Wang
Baosheng Li
Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
Translational Oncology
Whole-body CT scanning radiation
Low-dose radiation
IFN
Tumor microenvironment
title Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
title_full Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
title_fullStr Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
title_full_unstemmed Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
title_short Radiation from frequent whole-body CT scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
title_sort radiation from frequent whole body ct scans induces systemic immunosuppression and immune activation of tumor tissue
topic Whole-body CT scanning radiation
Low-dose radiation
IFN
Tumor microenvironment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936523325000579
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