The immune mechanisms of abscopal effect in radiation therapy

Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone in oncologic management and is employed in various curative and palliative scenarios for local-regional control. RT is thought to locally control tumor cells by direct physical DNA damage or indirect insults from reactive oxygen species. Therapeutic effects apart from those observed at the treatment target, i.e. abscopal effect, have been observed for several decades, though the underlying mechanisms regulating this phenomenon have been unclear. Accumulating evidence now suggests that the immune system is a major determinant in regulating the abscopal effect.
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research