Immunotherapy and radiotherapy: An effective combination in cancer treatment.
10.1097/CM9.0000000000003609
- Author:
Xuewei LI
1
;
Chen WANG
2
;
Haiou YANG
2
;
Wenhui XUE
2
;
Yaqian DING
2
;
Na WU
2
;
Beibei PEI
2
;
Xiaoyan MA
2
;
Wenhui YANG
3
Author Information
1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China.
2. Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030032, China.
3. Department of Gastroenterology, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030013, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
CTLA-4;
Cancer treatment;
Checkpoint abscopal effect;
Immunotherapy;
PD-1/PD-L1;
Programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1;
Radiotherapy
- MeSH:
Humans;
Neoplasms/radiotherapy*;
Immunotherapy/methods*;
Combined Modality Therapy;
Radiotherapy/methods*
- From:
Chinese Medical Journal
2025;138(20):2527-2539
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Immunotherapy has been widely used in cancer treatment in recent years and functions by stimulating the immune system to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy (RT) uses radiation to induce DNA damage and kill tumor cells. However, this activates the body's immune system, promoting the release of tumor-related antigens from inactive dendritic cells, which stimulates the recurrence and metastasis of tumors in immune system tissues. The combination of RT and immunotherapy has been increasingly evaluated in recent years, with studies confirming the synergistic effect of the two antitumor therapies. Particularly, the combination of RT by dose adjustment with different immunotherapies has positive implications on antitumor immunity as well as disease prognosis compared with respective monotherapies. This review summarizes the current research status, progress, and prospects of RT combined with immunotherapy in cancer treatment. It additionally discusses the prevalent concerns regarding the dose, time window, and toxicity of this combination therapy.
