title: The promise of combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy: morbidity and toxicity.
abstract: Radiation therapy and immunotherapy in partnership may have the capability of delivering a therapeutic effect exceeding the sum of its parts. The possible relationship has been demonstrated in murine models and has been extended to a variety of clinical trials. Though the standard notion of whole body radiation therapy is immunosuppressive, there is growing evidence toward the contrary for focal radiation therapy. Furthermore, if immunotherapeutic techniques can retune the immune system against cancerous cells, they should have obvious benefits for advanced treatments moving forward. Herein, we explore the promise in combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy with distinct focus on potential morbidities and toxicities through analysis of completed clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: 21st Century Oncology Translational Research Consortium, 7340 E Thomas Road, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Andre M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Agassi
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Myslicki
authors.forename: Jesse M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shulman
authors.forename: Yosef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rotterman
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dosoretz
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Constantine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mantz
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: immunotherapy; radiation; radiation oncology; radiation therapy; radiotherapy