Impact of radiotherapy on circulating lymphocyte subsets in patients with esophageal cancer

Radiotherapy (RT) can affect the immune function of patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RT on lymphocyte and its subsets in patients with esophageal cancer (EC). All patients received RT with a mean dose of 5369 cGy (gray). Blood parameters were measured in 31 patients on 3 occasions (before, at the end of radiotherapy, and at 3 months follow-up). The whole blood count and lymphocyte subsets were measured and correlated with short time efficiency and radiation dose parameters. White blood count (WBC) and lymphocyte count (ALC) were greatly decreased at the end of radiotherapy, and the percentages of CD3+, CD3+CD8+ T cells were significantly increased, on the other hand, a decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio was observed. The percentages of CD3-CD16/56+NK cells and CD19+ B cell were decreased at the end of RT compared with prior RT. The percentages of CD3+ T cells before RT and the WBC and ALC count after RT can be used as prognostic indicators for survival. The PTV dose can cause significant changes in lymphocytes count after RT. CD3+T cells after RT were significantly correlated with mean heart dose and heart V50. Our study identified that RT causes changes in lymphocyte subsets, and these changes may indicate differences in immune function between individuals. Radiotherapy plan should be designed to minimize normal tissue dose to reduce the impact on WBC and lymphocytes.