Research progress in the effects of ionizing radiation on lymphatic vessels / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Ionizing radiation can induce the death of lymphatic endothelial cells, leading to structural damage, dysfunction, and reduction of lymphatic vessels, which poses a negative impact on radiotherapy. However, it can also induce tumor cells and tumor-infiltrated immune cells to secrete various cytokines and promote tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis, which favors anti-tumor therapy and improve anti-tumor immunity. Studying the changes in lymphatic vessels after ionizing radiation may be a way to explore the synergistic anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy and immunotherapy. This review summarized the morphological changes in lymphatics after ionizing radiation, the molecular mechanisms for the effects of ionizing radiation on lymphatic vessels, and the clinical value of lymphatic changes after ionizing radiation, aiming to provide ideas for the study of the effects of ionizing radiation on lymphatic vessels.