Foreword

Anecdotal evidence for the abscopal effect of radiation therapy has garnered significant interest in recent years. It was recognized early on that the abscopal effect was likely mediated through activation of tumor specific immune responses, but its therapeutic application limited. Until recently, the abscopal effect remained an interesting but rare clinical entity, and endeavors to exploit this effect with cytokine based immunotherapy or cancer vaccines have met with limited success. Recent paradigm shift in cancer immunotherapy with unprecedented response rates demonstrated by immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting CTLA4 and PD1/PDL-1 axis has rekindled our enthusiasm to redefine radiation therapy as a form of systemic immunotherapy.

Source: Current Problems in Cancer - December 28, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Sungjune Kim Source Type: research