Review

Immunomodulatory effects of radiation: what is next for cancer therapy?

Anita Kumari

Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA

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Samantha S Simon

Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA

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Tomika D Moody

Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA

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Charlie Garnett-Benson

*Author for correspondence:

E-mail Address: cgarnettbenson@gsu.edu

Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA

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Published Online:1 Dec 2015https://doi.org/10.2217/fon.15.300

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Abstract

Despite its former reputation as being immunosuppressive, it has become evident that radiation therapy can enhance antitumor immune responses. This quality can be harnessed by utilizing radiation as an adjuvant to cancer immunotherapies. Most studies combine the standard radiation dose and regimens indicated for the given disease state, with novel cancer immunotherapies. It has become apparent that low-dose radiation, as well as doses within the hypofractionated range, can modulate tumor cells making them better targets for immune cell reactivity. Herein, we describe the range of phenotypic changes induced in tumor cells by radiation, and explore the diverse mechanisms of immunogenic modulation reported at these doses. We also review the impact of these doses on the immune cell function of cytotoxic cells in vivo and in vitro.

Keywords:

Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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Financial & competing interest disclosure

C Garnett-Benson has been the recipient of an R21 from the NCI on radiation and TREG cells (CA162235) and has a pending Research Scholar Grant on radiation and immunotherapy from the American Cancer Society. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Proofreading and editing services of Melissa Heffner of Second Look were utilized for the final manuscript production (funded by Georgia State University Department of Biology Internal Bridge Award).

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