Radiat Oncol J.  2022 Mar;40(1):53-65. 10.3857/roj.2021.00885.

Immunomodulatory effect of splenectomy in lung cancer mouse xenograft models receiving radiation therapy

• Kim Y
• Choi C
• Park JH
• Ahn WG
• Shin SW
• Kim SY
• Noh JM

• KMID: 2527629
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2021.00885

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effect of splenectomy on radiation-mediated growth inhibition and immune modulation in lung cancer xenograft models.
Materials and Methods
Human non-small cell lung cancer H1299 cells and murine Lewis lung carcinoma LL/2-luc cells were injected into the right hind leg of BALB/c-nude mice and C57BL/6 mice, respectively. Splenectomy or sham operation was performed prior to tumor cell injection or before and after irradiation during tumor growth. Irradiation was delivered with 2–3 fractions of 6 Gy X-ray using a linear accelerator. Flow cytometry analysis was performed for immune cell profiling.
Results
Splenectomy prior to tumor injection or at early stage inhibited growth of LL/2-luc tumors but not that of H1299 tumors; however, it did not enhance the antitumor effect of radiation regardless of intervention timing. Flow cytometry analysis showed monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and activated CD8+ T cells increased after irradiation in the tumors of splenectomized mice, compared to those of sham-operated mice. Administration of anti-PD-1 (programmed death-1) antibodies improved the ability of splenectomy to attenuate the growth of irradiated tumors.
Conclusion
Splenectomy has paradoxical effects on radiation-induced tumor growth inhibition, depending on tumor types and intervention timing, but it has an immune-modulating effect when combined with radiation.

Keyword

Radiotherapy; Myeloid-derived suppressor cells; Splenectomy; Lung cancer