Radiation and immunotherapy: a synergistic combination.
Anusha Kalbasi1, Carl H June, Naomi Haas
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. Anusha.Kalbasi@uphs.upenn.edu
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|July 19, 2013
Summary
Radiation therapy may enhance immunotherapy effectiveness for metastatic cancer patients who do not respond to immunotherapy alone. Combining these treatments shows promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Immunotherapy is effective for metastatic cancer but has limitations, including non-response in some patients due to immune evasion or lack of antigenic mutations.
- Radiation therapy (RT) is a standard cancer treatment, yet local treatment failures persist.
- Clinical observations suggest a potential synergy between RT and immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the immunobiologic and clinical rationale for combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy.
- To explore the potential of combining these two modalities, which are not yet in routine clinical use together.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical data on the combined effects of RT and immunotherapy.
- Analysis of immunobiologic mechanisms underlying the potential synergy.
- Evaluation of clinical rationale for combination therapy.
Main Results:
- Preclinical data suggest that RT can enhance the systemic efficacy of immunotherapy.
- Activation of innate and adaptive immune systems by RT can improve local RT efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy may overcome current treatment limitations.
- This combination strategy holds promise for improving outcomes in cancer patients.
- Further clinical investigation is warranted to establish this combination in routine practice.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...