Advances in Radiotherapy Immune Modulation: From Bench-to-Bedside and Back Again

Abstract

Pre-clinical and clinical data clearly demonstrate the immune modulatory effects of radiotherapy (RT) but clinical trials testing RT + immunotherapy have been equivocal. An improved understanding of the immune modulatory effects of RT and how practical parameters of RT delivery (site and number of lesions, dose, fractionation, timing) influence these effects are needed to optimally combine RT with immunotherapy. Additionally, increased exploration of immunotherapy combinations with RT, beyond immune checkpoint inhibitors, are needed. A "bench-to-bedside and back again" approach will improve our understanding of RT immune modulation and allow for the implementation of more effective RT + immunotherapy strategies.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitor; Immuno-oncology; Immunotherapy; Radiotherapy.