Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 22, 2025

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
07:25

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Published on: March 6, 2018

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Overcoming Immune Resistance With Radiation Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Arthur Mulvey1,2, Emilien Muggeo-Bertin3, Dominik R Berthold1

  • 1Department of Oncology, Medical Oncology Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Frontiers in Immunology
|May 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Immunotherapy shows promise for prostate cancer, especially when combined with radiotherapy. Radiation may transform non-responsive tumors into ones sensitive to immunotherapy by altering the tumor microenvironment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Radiotherapy

Background:

  • Prostate cancer is a leading cancer in men globally, with limited treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant disease.
  • Current therapies like androgen deprivation, precision medicine, and targeted treatments have advanced but still face challenges.
  • The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in prostate cancer hinders effective treatment responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current role and future potential of immunotherapy in prostate cancer.
  • To explore synergistic strategies combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy.
  • To discuss modulating the tumor microenvironment for improved treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on immunotherapy in prostate cancer.
  • Analysis of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
  • Evaluation of preclinical and clinical data on combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Emerging data suggest radiation can alter the tumor microenvironment, making 'immune desert' tumors inflamed and potentially responsive to immunotherapy.
  • Synergistic therapeutic strategies combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy show promise.
  • Modulating the tumor microenvironment is key to enhancing treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Immunotherapy holds significant potential for prostate cancer treatment.
  • Radiotherapy may enhance immunotherapy effectiveness by converting the tumor microenvironment.
  • Further research into combined therapeutic strategies is warranted to improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
abscopal effectcold tumorimmune checkpoint inhibitorsimmunotherapyprostate cancerradiation therapytumor micro-environment

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