title: Radiotherapy in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
abstract: The immunomodulatory effects of ionizing radiation have long been recognized; however, so far these have not been fully exploited in clinical practice. We review the rationale to combine radiation with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are used in standard practice.
  
  
  
  Preclinical research suggests a synergy between radiotherapy and these immune checkpoint inhibitors. Whether or not this benefit translates into a clinical benefit is currently subject of ongoing research.
  
  
  
  It is highly rational to combine radiation with immune therapy as in preclinical models and in proof of concept trials in humans it clearly can increase the antitumor immunity when given together with other immune interventions.
authors.affiliation: aMaastricht University Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro Clinic), GROW School, Maastricht, The Netherlands bKU Leuven, Radiation Oncology cUniversity Hospitals Leuven, Department of Radiation Oncology/KU Leuven, Radiation Oncology, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ruysscher
authors.forename: Kobe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reynders
authors.forename: Evert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Limbergen
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambrecht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor