title: Immunomodulatory effects of radiation: what is next for cancer therapy?
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Samantha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Tomika D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garnett-Benson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: T cells; cancer; cytotoxic cells; immunogenic modulation; immunotherapy; low-dose radiotherapy; radiation; single-dose radiotherapy