The Immunology of Ablative Radiation

Radiation has been a staple of cancer therapy since the early 20th century and is implemented in nearly half of current cancer treatment plans. Originally, the genotoxic function of radiation led to a focus on damage and repair pathways associated with deoxyribonucleic acid as important therapeutic targets to augment radiation efficacy. However, in recent decades, the participation of endogenous immune responses in modifying radiation effects have been widely documented and exploited in both preclinical and clinical settings.

Source: Seminars in Radiation Oncology - December 5, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Byron Burnette, Ralph R. Weichselbaum Source Type: research