Preoperative activation of the immune system by Low reactive Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in oncologic patients: A preliminary report

Abstract

In vitro cellular and in vivo animal studies have pointed to the possible boosting effect of Low reactive-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on the autoimmune system of immunodeficient cancer-inoculated animals, resulting in an increase in the expected life-span of the irradiated animals. Following such studies, the authors designed a study to evaluate the effect of LLLT as an adjunctive therapy for conventional surgical intervention in cancer in man. A comparative study of different types of irradiation from low incident energy level lasers was performed on 60 oncologic patients, irradiation being delivered during the immediate preoperative period. External irradiation with a semiconductor laser (wavelength 890 nm); internal irradiation with a helium-neon laser (wavelength 632.8 nm); and a combination of both methods was applied. The most effective irradiation was the external one made with a semiconductor laser. Studies were carried out on white cell components in blood, assays of immunoglobulin activity (IgA, IgM and IgG) were made, in addition to the determination of the behaviour of T-lymphocyte fractions (active roseate T-cells, T-helpers and T-suppressors) post LLLT. It was seen from the data that the total immunoresponse actually increased following LLLT, with no visible increase in tumoural remnant size. Although more detailed qualitative experimental and controlled work must be done before this application of LLLT can be carried out on a regular basis, the authors feel strongly that in this preliminary report, the findings point to an exciting and possible use for LLLT, in particular for the photoactivation of the autoimmune system and tumoural antigen photomodification, and in general for the treatment of immunodeficiency. © 1991, International Phototherapy Association. All rights reserved.