Stimulation effect of chitosan on the immunity of radiotherapy patients suffered from lung cancer

Water soluble chitosan (WSC), with low molecular weight, has many special biological, chemical, and physical properties, such as antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, and antitumor activity. In this study, the WSC was prepared by hydrolysis of the original chitosan with commercial cellulase, and the effect of WSC on the immunity of radiotherapy patients suffered from lung cancer (RPSFLC) was investigated. Oral administration of WSC increased CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 ration, NK cells, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels compared with the control group. The results indicate that oral administration of WSC can enhance the immunity of RPSFLC, and therefore oral administration of WSC may be used as an adjuvant therapy for them. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.