Breast cancer surgery-induced immunomodulation

✍ Scribed by Martijn F. Boomsma; Bert Garssen; Edith Slot; Monique Berbee; Johannes Berkhof; Eltica de Jager Meezenbroek; Walentina Slieker; Adriaan Visser; Sybren Meijer; Robert H.J. Beelen

• Book ID: 102923359
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 558 KB
• Volume: 102
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.21662

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background and objectives

Surgical procedures can cause tumor cells to disseminate into the circulatory system. Although this spread of metastatic cells will be limited by immune activity, immunosuppression tends to be the main effect resulting from surgery. The objective of this study is to assess hormonal and immunological changes induced by breast cancer surgery.

Methods

Endocrine and immune responses to surgery were determined in 27 breast cancer patients. Blood samples were taken at 6 days and 1 day before surgery and 2 hr, 1 day, and 5 days after surgery. Changes in endocrine function, number of leucocytes and their subpopulations, enumerative immune expression, functional activity, and cytokine levels were determined.

Results

Breast cancer surgery induces a pro‐inflammatory response and leucocytosis. Immunosuppression is indicated by decreased HLA‐DR expression, decreased NKCA, and a Th2 response. A delayed Th1 response was also found 5 days after surgery. As no cortisol level change was observed, this hormone can be excluded as the mediator of surgery‐related immunomodulation in breast cancer.

Conclusion

Although breast cancer surgery is classified as minor surgery the surgical procedure produces substantial immunomodulation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:640–648. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

This article was published online 30 July 2010. An error in the author affiliations was subsequently identified and has been corrected. This notice is included in online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected on 18 August 2010.