Are charged particles a good match for combination with immunotherapy? Current knowledge and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• Charged particle radiotherapy, including protons and carbon ions, offers precise tumor targeting and reduced normal tissue dose.
• Carbon ion therapy provides enhanced biological effectiveness and unique molecular effects.
• Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, is a cornerstone of modern cancer treatment.

Approach:

• This review synthesizes pre-clinical evidence on the combination of charged particle radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
• The focus is on the synergistic potential and molecular mechanisms underlying this combination.

Key Points:

• Charged particle radiotherapy enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy through various mechanisms.
• Pre-clinical data strongly support the potential of combining these treatment modalities.
• Early clinical studies are emerging, indicating a move towards translation.

Conclusions:

• The combination of charged particle radiotherapy and immunotherapy presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
• Further investigation and clinical trials are essential to optimize and implement this approach in cancer care.