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Abscopal Effect, From Myth to Reality: From Radiation Oncologists' Perspective
Melek Tugce Yilmaz1, Aysenur Elmali1, Gozde Yazici1
1Radiation Oncology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, TUR.
Cureus
|March 23, 2019
Summary
The abscopal effect, where radiotherapy triggers a systemic immune response to shrink distant tumors, is enhanced when combined with immunotherapy. This combination boosts anti-tumor immunity for better treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Radiotherapy
Background:
- The abscopal effect describes tumor regression in non-irradiated sites due to radiotherapy (RT).
- Recent successes in combining RT with immunotherapy have renewed interest in this phenomenon.
- Both RT and immunotherapy are established cancer treatment modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the abscopal effect of RT.
- To review the synergistic interactions between RT and immunotherapy.
- To highlight the combined efficacy of these treatments on irradiated and non-irradiated tumors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the abscopal effect and RT-immunotherapy combinations.
- Analysis of studies investigating systemic anti-tumor immune responses.
- Synthesis of data on combined treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Radiotherapy can induce a systemic immune response leading to the abscopal effect.
- Combining RT with immunotherapy enhances local and distant anti-tumor activity.
- Synergistic effects improve responses in both irradiated and metastatic lesions.
Conclusions:
- The abscopal effect is a clinically relevant phenomenon mediated by systemic immunity.
- Combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy offers a promising strategy for enhanced cancer treatment.
- Further research into the abscopal effect can optimize combination therapies.