Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy combined with immunotherapy for solid tumors

Eric D. Brooks, Jonathan E. Schoenhals, Chad Tang, Goran Micevic, Daniel R. Gomez, Joe Y. Chang, James W. Welsh

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunotherapy, particularly immune-checkpoint inhibition, is producing encouraging clinical responses and affecting the way numerous cancers are treated. Yet immune-checkpoint therapy is not effective for many patients, and even those who initially respond can experience relapse, fueling interest in finding new processes or tools to improve the effectiveness of these novel therapeutics.One such tool is radiation. Both preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that the systemic effects of immunotherapy can be amplified when it is used in combination with radiation and, conversely, that the immunogenic effects of local irradiation can be amplified and extended to distant sites when used with immunotherapy. We review how stereotactic ablative radiation therapy, a technique specifically indicated for tumors treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors, can potentiate the effects of immune-checkpoint therapy. We further explore how these novel therapeutics may transform radiation, previously considered a local treatment option, into powerful systemic therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-266
Number of pages10
JournalCancer Journal (United States)
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 26 2016

Keywords

  • Abscopal Effect
  • Immune-checkpoint Inhibitor
  • Ipilimumab
  • Melanoma
  • Nivolumab
  • Non-small cell lung Cancer
  • Radiotherapy
  • Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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