Radiation effects on antitumor immune responses: current perspectives and challenges

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone cancer treatment used in over 50% of patients.
• RT impacts tumor growth, vasculature, and the immune system.
• Emerging evidence suggests RT has immune-mediated effects, challenging its traditional view as solely immunosuppressive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence on radiotherapy's immunogenic potential.
• To explore how RT synergizes with immunotherapy (IT).
• To inform the design of novel combination therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of pre-clinical and clinical observations.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which RT modulates the immune system.
• Examination of abscopal effects.

Main Results:

• RT-induced cell death can be immunogenic.
• RT modulates lymphocyte function within the tumor microenvironment.
• RT can elicit systemic immune responses, leading to abscopal effects.

Conclusions:

• Radiotherapy's immunogenic potential is significant.
• RT can synergize with immunotherapy to promote antitumor immunity.
• Understanding RT's immune effects is crucial for developing effective combination treatments.