Ionizing Radiation Improves Skin Bacterial Dysbiosis in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Author Information
Author(s): Chrisman Lauren P., Pang Yanzhen, Hooper Madeline J., Rajeev-Kumar Greeshma, Nguyen William Q., Green Stefan J., Seed Patrick C., Liang Hua, Mittal Bharat B., Hasan Yasmin, Guitart Joan, Weichselbaum Ralph R., Burns Michael B., Zhou Xiaolong A.
Primary Institution: Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Hypothesis
We hypothesize that similar shifts in the skin microbiome may be identified with ionizing radiation treatment in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients.
Conclusion
Ionizing radiation treatment increases microbial diversity in the skin of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients, promoting a healthier skin microbiome.
Supporting Evidence
- Radiation exposure increased CTCL skin α-diversity to levels approximating healthy controls.
- TSEBT appeared to carry the greatest effect compared to local IR.
- Both α and β-diversity differed significantly post versus pre-IR for TSEBT.
- IR was associated with decreases in known pathogenic bacteria and increases in healthy commensal bacteria.
- Substantially more taxa shifts were seen with TSEBT versus local IR.
Takeaway
This study shows that radiation therapy can help make the skin of patients with a certain type of cancer healthier by changing the bacteria living on their skin.
Methodology
The study involved 16S rRNA and tuf gene amplicon sequencing on skin samples from 12 CTCL patients and 25 healthy controls, analyzing microbial diversity and taxonomic profiles.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the exclusion of patients who used antibiotics shortly before the study.
Limitations
The study had a relatively small sample size and was limited to a specific patient population.
Participant Demographics
The median age of CTCL patients was 56 years, with 75% being male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.0019
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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