Published online Apr 10, 2017. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v8.i2.158
Peer-review started: October 14, 2016
First decision: November 14, 2016
Revised: December 14, 2016
Accepted: January 2, 2017
Article in press: January 4, 2017
Published online: April 10, 2017
Processing time: 178 Days and 0.2 Hours
To evaluate the treatment effects of recombinant human interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) on radiotherapy complications, such as severe myelosuppression or pancytopenia, the decline or imbalance of immune function, etc.
The patients received high-dose and short-course precise radiotherapy, such as Cyber knife and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), which can cause myelosuppression or pancytopenia and immune function decline within a short time. One-hundred subjects were enrolled in the study, and 50 were randomized to a treatment group which used rhIL-12 and 50 were randomized to a control group which used symptomatic and supportive therapy after radiotherapy. The 50 subjects in the treatment group were further divided into five subgroups and intervened with rhIL-12 at a dose of 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 ng/kg respectively. The dose-effect relationship was observed.
RhIL-12 significantly attenuated the decrease of peripheral blood cells in the treatment group, and immune function was improved after treatment. Due to the different radiation doses, there was a fluctuation within 12 h after treatment but mostly showing an increasing trend. As to the clinical manifestations, 2 patients in the 250 ng/kg subgroup showed low fever after administration, 1 patient in the 200 ng/kg subgroup and 2 patients in the 250 ng/kg subgroup showed mild impairment of liver function during the observation period.
RhIL-12 has effective therapeutic and protective effects on complications following radiotherapy, such as the decline of blood cells, myelosuppression and the decline or imbalance of immune function, which indicated good prospects for development and application.
Core tip: Recombinant human interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) is a new kind of biological agent secreted by Chinese hamster ovary cells. Study has shown that it has the advantage of promoting recovery of hematopoietic function, regulating the body’s immunity and inhibiting angiogenesis growth. At present, the research of rhIL-12 stays in the foundational realm and in animal experimentation. In our study, however, there were 100 patients with large or numerous tumors (more than two) and who received precision radiotherapy (Cyber knife or image-guided radiotherapy). The results showed that rhIL-12 can prevent radiation damage, improve hematopoietic function, regulate immunity, reduce the side effect of radiotherapy and improve the quality of life of patients.