Combinations of radiation therapy and immunotherapy for melanoma: A review of clinical outcomes Journal Article


Authors: Barker, C. A.; Postow, M. A.
Article Title: Combinations of radiation therapy and immunotherapy for melanoma: A review of clinical outcomes
Abstract: Radiation therapy has long played a role in the management of melanoma. Recent advances have also demonstrated the efficacy of immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma. Preclinical data suggest a biologic interaction between radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Several clinical studies corroborate these findings. This review will summarize the outcomes of studies reporting on patients with melanoma treated with a combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Vaccine therapies often use irradiated melanoma cells, and may be enhanced by radiation therapy. The cytokines interferon-α and interleukin-2 have been combined with radiation therapy in several small studies, with some evidence suggesting increased toxicity and/or efficacy. Ipilimumab, a monoclonal antibody which blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, has been combined with radiation therapy in several notable case studies and series. Finally, pilot studies of adoptive cell transfer have suggested that radiation therapy may improve the efficacy of treatment. The review will demonstrate that the combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy has been reported in several notable case studies, series and clinical trials. These clinical results suggest interaction and the need for further study. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: treatment outcome; clinical trial; review; interferon; advanced cancer; multimodality cancer therapy; nonhuman; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; outcome assessment; interleukin 2; ipilimumab; cancer immunotherapy; melanoma; radiotherapy; oncology; monoclonal antibodies; cytokines; clinical study; cancer vaccine; immunomodulating agent; dermatology; cell transfer; interleukin-2; case study; pilot studies; metastatic melanoma; clinical trial (topic); clinical outcome; melanoma cells; human; priority journal
Journal Title: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Volume: 88
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0360-3016
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2014-02-01
Start Page: 986
End Page: 997
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.08.035
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 24661650
PMCID: PMC4667362
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 1 May 2014 -- CODEN: IOBPD -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Michael Andrew Postow
    361 Postow
  2. Christopher Barker
    218 Barker