Post-irradiation dysbiosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma having received radiotherapy – A pilot study

Heng An Lu, Yu Ming Wang, Wei Chih Chen, Ching Nung Wu, Yen Ting Lu, Yinshen Wee, Ching Shuen Wang, Sheng Dean Luo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To compare the changes in the sinonasal mucosa microbiome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) before and after radiotherapy (RT), and to explore the pathogenesis of post-irradiation chronic rhinosinusitis (PI-CRS) and its association with dysbiosis. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Unicenter, Tertiary referral hospital. Methods: Included patients newly diagnosed with NPC. Samples of ostiomeatal complex mucosa were collected before and after RT. Microbiome analysis was conducted using 16S rRNA sequencing, and statistical analysis was performed. Subgroup analyses based on RT modality (proton therapy or photon therapy) Results: Total of 18 patients were enrolled in the study, with 62.1% receiving intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Corynebacterium was the most dominant genus identified in both the pre- and post-RT groups, with a visible increase in Staphylococcus and a decrease in Fusobacterium genus in post-RT group. Alpha-diversity did not significantly differ between groups, although the beta-diversity analysis revealed a dispersed microbiota in the post-RT group. The functional prediction indicated a higher relative abundance of taxonomies associated with biofilm formation in the post-RT group. The subgroup analysis revealed the above changes to be more significant in patients who received photon therapy (Intensity modulated radiation therapy, IMRT). Conclusions: This is the first study to analyze the microbiome of patients with NPC after IMPT. We identified similarities between the post-RT microenvironment and that reported in patients with CRS, with a more apparent change noted in patients treated with IMRT. Further investigation is required to further elucidate the pathogenesis of PI-CRS and its relationship to post-RT dysbiosis, particularly IMPT.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106864
Pages (from-to)106864
JournalOral Oncology
Volume154
DOIs
StatePublished - 07 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Dysbiosis
  • Intensity-modulated proton therapy
  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  • Photon therapy
  • Post-irradiation chronic rhinosinusitis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/radiotherapy
  • Microbiota/radiation effects
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Dysbiosis/microbiology
  • Female
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated/adverse effects

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