Interactions between radiation therapy and immunotherapy: the best of two worlds?
Contrary to earlier thought, there is now accumulating evidence that local radiation therapy and various form of immunotherapy may be complementary. This may occur as a result of radiation-induced changes to the tumour cells themselves, the tumour microenvironment, the tumour vasculature and modulation of antigen-presenting and effector cell function. This study discusses recent findings and potential applications of this apparent synergy.
Thamm
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The Animal Cancer Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1620, USA. dthamm@colostate.edu