The study of erythrocytes in cervical cancer patients during radiation therapy using Raman spectroscopy

This study presents the results of investigation into hemoglobin property alterations in cervical cancer (CC) patients before and after radiation therapy using Raman spectroscopy. Dry blood smears from CC patients and healthy donors were analyzed using a Raman spectrometer with 532 nm excitation wavelength. The results revealed significant impairments in hemoglobin’s oxygen transport function. Comparative analysis of spectral characteristics demonstrated higher oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the control group versus CC samples, indicating reduced oxygen-binding capacity in the pathological state. Peak shifts and intensity changes suggested increased deoxyhemoglobin fractions in CC patients. Analysis of key vibrational modes (991, 1127, 1165, 1300, 1337 cm⁻¹) confirmed conformational changes in the heme group and impaired oxygen-binding function. Particularly significant was the altered intensity ratio I₁₃₇₅/I₁₁₂₇ (2-5.5% difference versus controls), reflecting decreased R-state hemoglobin fractions. The study identified increased hemoglobin-NO complexes (20% rise in I₁₆₁₈/I₁₅₈₀) while methemoglobin levels remained stable. We also observed changes in erythrocyte physicochemical properties: increased membrane fluidity (35% higher I₂₈₅₀/I₂₈₈₀) and enhanced amino acid environment polarity (23% decrease in I₂₉₃₀/I₂₈₅₀) in CC patients. Radiation therapy exacerbated these changes, though its impact on oxygen-binding capacity was less pronounced than the oncological process itself.