Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor 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.

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer 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 Therapies

Cancer 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...

Biological Effects of Radiation

Biological Effects of Radiation

All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...

Cancer Prevention

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Dynamic immune profiling predicts response to radiation plus anti-PD-1 therapy in oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Pregnancy-induced tissue-resident memory-like T cells contribute to tumor control in breast cancer.

Nature immunology·2026

Same author

Tumor-resident T cells and dendritic cells form an in situ archetype during immunotherapy response in melanoma.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

[<sup>177</sup>Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in combination with pembrolizumab for treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (PRINCE): a single-arm, phase 1b/2 study.

The Lancet. Oncology·2026

Same author

Striking the right balance with type I interferon signalling in cancer.

Nature reviews. Cancer·2026

Same author

Bispecific antibody combination therapies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

British journal of haematology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

Basic cancer immunology for radiation oncologists.

Joseph Sia^1,2, Paul J Neeson^2,3, Nicole M Haynes^2,3

¹Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology

|March 30, 2022

Summary

Radiation therapy (RT) can enhance cancer immunotherapy by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. This review explains key immunology concepts for radiation oncologists to understand RT

Keywords:

Radiotherapy cancer biology cancer immunology immunotherapy

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Radiotherapy and Clonogenic Assays for Advancing Cancer Research and Personalized Medicine

Author Spotlight: Radiotherapy and Clonogenic Assays for Advancing Cancer Research and Personalized Medicine

Published on: April 5, 2024

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Radiotherapy and Clonogenic Assays for Advancing Cancer Research and Personalized Medicine

Author Spotlight: Radiotherapy and Clonogenic Assays for Advancing Cancer Research and Personalized Medicine

Published on: April 5, 2024

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunology
Radiation Biology

Background:

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology but benefits a limited patient subset.
Radiation therapy (RT) shows potential to enhance immunotherapy by altering the tumor immune microenvironment.
Radiobiology and cancer immunology are increasingly interconnected in cancer treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize key immunology concepts for radiation oncologists.
To explain how radiation therapy can complement cancer immunotherapy.
To provide a foundation for understanding current and emerging immunotherapy trials and RT's indirect immune effects.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on cancer immunotherapy and radiation therapy.
Focus on the interplay between radiation biology and cancer immunology.
Explanation of immunological concepts relevant to radiation oncology.

Main Results:

Radiation therapy can modulate the tumor immune microenvironment.
RT and immunotherapy may work through non-overlapping mechanisms to boost anti-cancer immunity.
Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

Radiation therapy is a unique partner for cancer immunotherapy across various cancer types.
The integration of radiobiology and immunology is essential for advancing cancer treatment.
This review equips radiation oncologists with knowledge to interpret immunotherapy trials and RT's immune-modulating effects.