Abstract: |
A greater understanding of immune system biology has translated into more effective cancer immunotherapeutics. This has prompted exploration of the combination of these agents with other cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, which has also been shown to promote antitumor immunity independently. This review will present data from reports of immune modulators and radiotherapy and will discuss common themes and observations. Costimulatory molecules including CD40 and CD134/OX40; glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related gene (GITR), CD137/4-1BB; and inhibitory molecules CD152/cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) will be discussed. Observations regarding radiotherapy sequencing, dose, and fractionation will also be addressed. We conclude that a strategy combining immune modulation and radiotherapy is rational and holds promise for future successful translation in clinical trials. |