Benefits of Proton Therapy in Protecting the Immune System

With clinical experience of the largest number of patients treated in Spain, Dr. Rosa Meirinho, specialist in Proton Therapy Department of the Oncology Center of the University Clinic of Navarra (KKUN)gave a presentation at the 62nd annual meeting of the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group (PTCOG), held recently in Singapore, in which he highlighted the benefits for protecting the immune system of those exposed to this type of external radiation.

One of the main advantages of proton therapy is the preservation of various healthy tissues surrounding the tumor and its impact on future quality of life, especially in pediatric patients.However, another important benefit for patients is reduction of lymphopeniaa decrease in lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, which can be observed in the acute infectious phase, in severe immunodeficiency and after treatment with cytostatics. In this sense, Dr. Meyrigno emphasized that “There is less radiation-induced lymphopenia after proton irradiation than with photon therapy, and this benefits the entire immune system.”

“The impact of radiation-induced lymphopenia is important in oncology treatment outcomes. There are studies that highlight a detrimental relationship between grade 3 and higher lymphopenia and overall survival in patients treated with radiotherapy for solid tumors. Any strategy that helps us mitigate this blood disorder in these cases will be helpful in improving survival.”– said a specialist from the CCUN proton therapy department.

Dr. Meyrinho’s presentation included findings from a study of 43 patients, some of whom received proton therapy and others photon therapy. The analysis confirmed that “Patients with thoracic and abdominal tumors irradiated with proton therapy were associated with a lower effective dose value for circulating immune cells, and the number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood was statistically higher.”

Phase II of the VASA project

The results presented in this Asian edition of PTCOG include preliminary findings from the CCUN-led VASA project, which uses biomarkers to analyze the effects of radiotherapy on vascular structures and circulating blood during therapeutic radiation treatments required for cancer patients.

The project also focuses on proposals for changes in daily clinical practice to vary dosimetric planning of oncological radiation treatments, predict the impact on immunocompetence, adapt it and prevent other health problems in order to reduce side effects and increase potential cancer-free survival.

Dr. Meyrinho believes that “Systematic study of the effects of radiation on vessels and circulating blood in clinical practice could open up new possibilities for optimizing radiation therapy planning. This would be a significant paradigm shift in healthcare practice. actions aimed at minimizing unnecessary irradiation of vascular structures.”a reality that proton therapy encourages.