1
|
Tubin S. A Partial Tumor Irradiation Approach for Complex Bulky Disease. Semin Radiat Oncol 2024; 34:323-336. [PMID: 38880541 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
A large proportion of cancer patients present with unresectable bulky disease at baseline or following treatment failure. The data available in the literature suggest that the vast majority of these patients do not benefit from available standard therapies. Therefore the clinical outcomes are poor; patients are desperate and usually relegated to palliative or best supportive care as the only options. Large tumor masses are usually hypoxic, resistant to radiation and systemic therapy, with extensive regional infiltration of the surrounding critical organs, the presence of which makes it impossible to deliver a radical dose of radiation. Promising data in terms of improved therapeutic ratio where such complex tumors are concerned can be seen with the use of new emerging unconventional radiotherapy techniques known as spatially fractionated radiotherapies (SFRT). One of them is PATHY, or PArtial Tumor irradiation targeting HYpoxic segment, which is characterized by a very short treatment course offering a large spectrum of therapeutic benefits in terms of the symptom relief, quality of life, local tumor control, neoadjuvant and immunomodulatory effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- Medaustron Center for Ion Therapy, Marie-Curie Strasse 5, Wiener Neustadt 2700, Austria; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiation Therapy, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400 69120 Heidelberg; Montefiore Medical Center Radiation Oncology, 111 E 210th St, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kim H, Lee E, Cho H, Kim E, Jang WI, Yang K, Lee YJ, Kim TJ, Kim MS. Five-Day Spacing of Two Fractionated Ablative Radiotherapies Enhances Antitumor Immunity. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 118:498-511. [PMID: 37717785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to enhance tumor control and abscopal effects by applying diverse stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) schedules. METHODS AND MATERIALS FSaII, CT-26, and 4T1 cells were used for tumor growth delay and lung metastases analysis after 1- or 5-day intervals radiation therapy (RT) with 40, 20, and 20 Gy, respectively. Immunodeficient BALB/c-nude, immunocompetent C3H, and BALB/c mouse models were used. For immune monitoring, FSaII tumors were analyzed using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The spleens were used for the ELISpot assay and flow cytometry to determine effector CD8 T cells. For abscopal effect analysis in CT-26 tumors, the volume of the nonirradiated secondary tumors was measured after primary tumors were irradiated with 1-day or 5-day intervals. RESULTS Contrary to the high-dose 1-day interval RT, the 5-day interval RT significantly delayed tumor growth in immunocompetent mice, which was not observed in immunodeficient mice. In addition, the 5-day interval RT significantly reduced the number of lung metastases in FSaII and CT-26 tumors. Five-day spacing was more effective than 1-day interval in enhancing the antitumor immunity via increasing the secretion of tumor-specific IFN-γ, activating the CD8 T cells, and suppressing the monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The 5-day spacing inhibited nonirradiated secondary tumor growth more effectively than did the 1-day interval. CONCLUSIONS Compared with the 1-day interval RT, the 5-day interval RT scheme demonstrated enhanced antitumor immunity of CD8 T cells associated with inhibition of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Enhancing antitumor immunity leads to significant improvements in both primary tumor control and the abscopal effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eunju Lee
- Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Haeun Cho
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and; Department of Radiological & Medico-Oncological Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Eunji Kim
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and
| | | | | | - Yoon-Jin Lee
- Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Mi-Sook Kim
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and; Department of Radiological & Medico-Oncological Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lu Q, Yan W, Zhu A, Tubin S, Mourad WF, Yang J. Combining spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) and immunotherapy opens new rays of hope for enhancing therapeutic ratio. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2024; 44:100691. [PMID: 38033759 PMCID: PMC10684810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2023.100691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatially Fractionated Radiation Therapy (SFRT) is a form of radiotherapy that delivers a single large dose of radiation within the target volume in a heterogeneous pattern with regions of peak dosage and regions of under dosage. SFRT types can be defined by how the heterogeneous pattern of radiation is obtained. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for various malignant tumors and are widely used to treat patients with metastatic cancer. The efficacy of ICI monotherapy is limited due to the "cold" tumor microenvironment. Fractionated radiotherapy can achieve higher doses per fraction to the target tumor, and induce immune activation (immodulate tumor immunogenicity and microenvironment). Therefore, coupling ICI therapy and fractionated radiation therapy could significantly improve the outcome of metastatic cancer. This review focuses on both preclinical and clinical studies that use a combination of radiotherapy and ICI therapy in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Lu
- Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, P.R. China
- Junxin Precision Oncology Group, P.R. China
| | - Weisi Yan
- Baptist Health System, Lexington, KY, United States
- Junxin Precision Oncology Group, P.R. China
| | - Alan Zhu
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Slavisa Tubin
- Albert Einstein Collage of Medicine New York, Center for Ion Therapy, Medaustron, Austria
| | - Waleed F. Mourad
- Department of Radiation Medicine Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky - College of Medicine, United States
| | - Jun Yang
- Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, P.R. China
- Junxin Precision Oncology Group, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mathieu M, Budhu S, Nepali PR, Russell J, Powell SN, Humm J, Deasy JO, Haimovitz-Friedman A. Activation of STING in Response to Partial-Tumor Radiation Exposure. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:955-965. [PMID: 37244631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the mechanisms involved in partial volume radiation therapy (RT)-induced tumor response. METHODS AND MATERIALS We investigated 67NR murine orthotopic breast tumors in Balb/c mice and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC cells; WT, Crispr/Cas9 Sting KO, and Atm KO) injected in the flank of C57Bl/6, cGAS, or STING KO mice. RT was delivered to 50% or 100% of the tumor volume using a 2 × 2 cm collimator on a microirradiator allowing precise irradiation. Tumors and blood were collected at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-RT and assessed for cytokine measurements. RESULTS There is a significant activation of the cGAS/STING pathway in the hemi-irradiated tumors compared with control and to 100% exposed 67NR tumors. In the LLC model, we determined that an ATM-mediated noncanonical activation of STING is involved. We demonstrated that the partial exposure RT-mediated immune response is dependent on ATM activation in the tumor cells and on the STING activation in the host, and cGAS is dispensable. Our results also indicate that partial volume RT stimulates a proinflammatory cytokine response compared with the anti-inflammatory profile induced by 100% tumor volume exposure. CONCLUSIONS Partial volume RT induces an antitumor response by activating STING, which stimulates a specific cytokine signature as part of the immune response. However, the mechanism of this STING activation, via the canonical cGAS/STING pathway or a noncanonical ATM-driven pathway, depends on the tumor type. Identifying the upstream pathways responsible for STING activation in the partial RT-mediated immune response in different tumor types would improve this therapy and its potential combination with immune checkpoint blockade and other antitumor therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sadna Budhu
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | | | - James Russell
- Department of Medical Physics, New York City, New York
| | | | - John Humm
- Department of Medical Physics, New York City, New York
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hatten SJ, Lehrer EJ, Liao J, Sha CM, Trifiletti DM, Siva S, McBride SM, Palma D, Holder SL, Zaorsky NG. A Patient-Level Data Meta-analysis of the Abscopal Effect. Adv Radiat Oncol 2022; 7:100909. [PMID: 35372719 PMCID: PMC8971834 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2022.100909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The abscopal effect is defined when a form of local therapy causes tumor regression of both the target lesion and any untreated tumors. Herein cases of the abscopal effect were systematically reviewed and a patient-level data analysis was performed for clinical predictors of both duration of response and survival. Methods and Materials The Population, Intervention, Control, Outcome, Study (PICOS) design approach, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) literature selection process, and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) were used to find articles published before September 2019 in MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were (1) population: patients with reported abscopal response; (2) intervention: documented treatment(s); (3) control: none; (4) outcomes: overall and progression-free survival; and (5) setting: retrospective case reports. Time from treatment until abscopal response and time from abscopal response until progression/death were calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for survival outcomes. Results Fifty studies (n = 55 patients) were included. Median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-70) and 62% were male. Fifty-four (98%) patients received radiation therapy, 34 (62%) received radiation therapy alone, 5 (9.1%) underwent surgery, 4 (7.3%) received chemotherapy, and 11 (20%) received immunotherapy. Median total dose was 32 Gy (IQR, 25.5-48 Gy) and median dose per fraction was 3 Gy (IQR, 2-7.2). Median time until abscopal response was 4 months (IQR, 1-5; min 0.5, max 24). At 5 years, overall survival was 63% and distant progression-free survival was 45%. No variables had statistical significance in predicting duration of response or survival. Conclusions Almost all reported cases of the abscopal response are after radiation therapy; however, there are no known predictors of duration of response or survival in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Hatten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric J. Lehrer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jenn Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Congzhou M. Sha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Shankar Siva
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sean M. McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - David Palma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheldon L. Holder
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Brown University Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Nicholas G. Zaorsky
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Novel Carbon Ion and Proton Partial Irradiation of Recurrent Unresectable Bulky Tumors (Particle-PATHY): Early Indication of Effectiveness and Safety. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092232. [PMID: 35565361 PMCID: PMC9101845 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: We present the early results of a novel partial bulky-tumor irradiation using particles for patients with recurrent unresectable bulky tumors who failed previous state-of-the-art treatments. Methods: First, eleven consecutive patients were treated from March 2020 until December 2021. The targeted Bystander Tumor Volume (BTV) was created by subtracting 1 cm from Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) surface. It reflected approximately 30% of the central GTV volume and was irradiated with 30–45 Gy RBE (Relative Biological Effectiveness) in three consecutive fractions. The Peritumoral Immune Microenvironment (PIM) surrounding the GTV, containing nearby tissues, blood-lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, was considered an organ at risk (OAR) and protected by highly conservative constraints. Results: With the median follow up of 6.3 months, overall survival was 64% with a median survival of 6.7 months; 46% of patients were progression-free. The average tumor volume regression was 61% from the initial size. The symptom control rate was 91%, with an average increase of the Karnofsky Index of 20%. The abscopal effect has been observed in 60% of patients. Conclusions: Partial bulky-tumor irradiation is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for patients with unresectable recurrent bulky disease. Abscopal effects elucidate an immunogenic pathway contribution. Extensive tumor shrinkage in some patients might permit definitive treatment—otherwise previously impossible.
Collapse
|
7
|
Telarovic I, Wenger RH, Pruschy M. Interfering with Tumor Hypoxia for Radiotherapy Optimization. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:197. [PMID: 34154610 PMCID: PMC8215813 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02000-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia in solid tumors is an important predictor of treatment resistance and poor clinical outcome. The significance of hypoxia in the development of resistance to radiotherapy has been recognized for decades and the search for hypoxia-targeting, radiosensitizing agents continues. This review summarizes the main hypoxia-related processes relevant for radiotherapy on the subcellular, cellular and tissue level and discusses the significance of hypoxia in radiation oncology, especially with regard to the current shift towards hypofractionated treatment regimens. Furthermore, we discuss the strategies to interfere with hypoxia for radiotherapy optimization, and we highlight novel insights into the molecular pathways involved in hypoxia that might be utilized to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irma Telarovic
- Laboratory for Applied Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland H Wenger
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Pruschy
- Laboratory for Applied Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tubin S, Gupta S, Grusch M, Popper HH, Brcic L, Ashdown ML, Khleif SN, Peter-Vörösmarty B, Hyden M, Negrini S, Fossati P, Hug E. Shifting the Immune-Suppressive to Predominant Immune-Stimulatory Radiation Effects by SBRT-PArtial Tumor Irradiation Targeting HYpoxic Segment (SBRT-PATHY). Cancers (Basel) 2020; 13:cancers13010050. [PMID: 33375357 PMCID: PMC7795882 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review presents and summarizes the key components and outcomes of a novel, unconventional radiation approach aimed to exploit immune-stimulatory radiation effects which, being added to direct radiation tumor cell killing, may improve the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy. This technique, as a product of translational oncology research, was intentionally developed for the induction of immune-mediated bystander and abscopal effects in the treatment of unresectable bulky tumors which have much fewer therapeutic options and show poor prognoses after conventional treatments. This review offers insights into a unique unconventional radiotherapy technique which, due to its higher immunogenic potential, may improve the prognosis of patients affected by highly complex malignancies, providing additional opportunities for future research in terms of combining novel immuno-modulating agents with more modern radiotherapy approaches. Abstract Radiation-induced immune-mediated abscopal effects (AE) of conventional radiotherapy are very rare. Whole-tumor irradiation leads to lymphopenia due to killing of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in immunosuppression and weak abscopal potential. This limitation may be overcome by partial tumor irradiation sparing the peritumoral immune-environment, and consequent shifting of immune-suppressive to immune-stimulatory effect. This would improve the radiation-directed tumor cell killing, adding to it a component of immune-mediated killing. Our preclinical findings showed that the high-single-dose irradiation of hypoxic tumor cells generates a stronger bystander effect (BE) and AE than the normoxic cells, suggesting their higher “immunogenic potential”. This led to the development of a novel Stereotactic Body RadioTherapy (SBRT)-based PArtial Tumor irradiation targeting HYpoxic segment (SBRT-PATHY) for induction of the immune-mediated BE and AE. Encouraging SBRT-PATHY-clinical outcomes, together with immunohistochemical and gene-expression analyses of surgically removed abscopal-tumor sites, suggested that delivery of the high-dose radiation to the partial (hypoxic) tumor volume, with optimal timing based on the homeostatic fluctuation of the immune response and sparing the peritumoral immune-environment, would significantly enhance the immune-mediated anti-tumor effects. This review discusses the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of SBRT-PATHY in the treatment of unresectable hypoxic bulky tumors and its bystander and abscopal immunomodulatory potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Marie Curie-Straße 5, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; (P.F.); (E.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-676-9021-687
| | - Seema Gupta
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (S.G.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Michael Grusch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.G.); (B.P.-V.)
| | - Helmuth H. Popper
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (H.H.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Luka Brcic
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (H.H.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Martin L. Ashdown
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia;
| | - Samir N. Khleif
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (S.G.); (S.N.K.)
| | - Barbara Peter-Vörösmarty
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.G.); (B.P.-V.)
| | - Martin Hyden
- Institute for Pathology, Kabeg Klinikum Klagenfurt, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria;
| | - Simone Negrini
- Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Translational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Piero Fossati
- MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Marie Curie-Straße 5, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; (P.F.); (E.H.)
| | - Eugen Hug
- MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Marie Curie-Straße 5, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; (P.F.); (E.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Huang Q, Sun Y, Wang W, Lin LC, Huang Y, Yang J, Wu X, Kong L, Lu JJ. Biological Guided Carbon-Ion Microporous Radiation to Tumor Hypoxia Area Triggers Robust Abscopal Effects as Open Field Radiation. Front Oncol 2020; 10:597702. [PMID: 33330089 PMCID: PMC7713593 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.597702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a growing number of studies focus on partial tumor irradiation to induce the stronger non-target effects. However, the value of partial volume carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) targeting hypoxic region of a tumor under imaging guidance as well as its effect of inducing radiation induced abscopal effects (RIAEs) have not been well investigated. Herein, we developed a technique of carbon ion microporous radiation (CI-MPR), guided by 18F-FMISO PET/computerized tomography (CT), for partial volume radiation targeting the hypoxia area of a tumor and investigated its capability of inducing abscopal effects. Tumor-bearing mice were inoculated subcutaneously with breast cancer 4T1 cells into the flanks of both hind legs of mouse. Mice were assigned to three groups: group I: control group with no treatment; group II: carbon ion open field radiation (CI-OFR group) targeting the entire tumor; group III: partial volume carbon ion microporous radiation (CI-MPR group) targeting the hypoxia region. The tumors on the left hind legs of mice were irradiated with single fraction of 20 Gy of CIRT. Mice treated with CI-MPR or CI-OFR showed that significant growth delay on both the irradiated and unirradiated of tumor as compared to the control groups. Tumor regression of left tumor irradiated with CI-OFR was more prominent as compared to the tumor treated with CI-MPR, while the regression of the unirradiated tumor in both CI-MPR and CI-OFR group was similar. Biological-guided CIRT using the newly developed microporous technique targeting tumor hypoxia region could induce robust abscopal effects similar to CIRT covering the entire tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingting Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Sun
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China.,Department of Research and Development, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical Physics, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lien-Chun Lin
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical Physics, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangle Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical Physics, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Kong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiade Jay Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tubin S, Yan W, Mourad WF, Fossati P, Khan MK. The future of radiation-induced abscopal response: beyond conventional radiotherapy approaches. Future Oncol 2020; 16:1137-1151. [PMID: 32338046 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in the immunological pharmaceuticals, such as checkpoint inhibitors and agonists, have positive implications for the future of the radiotherapy abscopal response. A once rare phenomenon, whereby distant nonirradiated tumor sites regressed after radiotherapy alone, may become more common when combined with the immune modulating agents. Radiotherapy can increase neoantigen expression, increased tumor PD-L1 expression, increase MHC class I expression, reverse exhausted CD8 T cells and increase tumor-infiltrating tumors within the tumor microenvironment. These changes in the tumor and the tumor microenvironment after radiotherapy could potentiate responses to anti-CTL-4, anti-PD-L1/PD-1 and other immunotherapy agents. Thus, advances in checkpoint inhibitors have increased interest in re-evaluation of the role of conventional radiotherapy approaches on the immune system. We reviewed newer nonconventional approaches such as SBRT-PATHY, GRID, FLASH, carbon ion and proton therapy and their role in eliciting immune responses. We believe that combining these novel radiation methods may enhance the outcome with the newly US FDA approved immune modulating agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- MedAustron Center for Ion Therapy and Research, Marie Curie Strasse 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria
| | - Weisi Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Waleed F Mourad
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Medical Center, MN 150 - Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA
| | - Piero Fossati
- MedAustron Center for Ion Therapy and Research, Marie Curie Strasse 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria
| | - Mohammad K Khan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, 1365-C Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tubin S, Ashdown M, Jeremic B. Time-synchronized immune-guided SBRT partial bulky tumor irradiation targeting hypoxic segment while sparing the peritumoral immune microenvironment. Radiat Oncol 2019; 14:220. [PMID: 31801549 PMCID: PMC6894294 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-019-1423-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A novel unconventional SBRT-based PArtial Tumor irradiation targeting HYpoxic clonogenic cells (SBRT-PATHY) for induction of the tumoricidal bystander (BE) and abscopal effects (AE) was developed by translating our preclinical findings to a clinic in 2016. In order to further improve BE/AE response rate, SBRT-PATHY was upgraded in 2018 by the sparing of peritumoral immune microenvironment as a new OAR, defined by its own dose-constraints. Considering the anti-tumor immune response homeostatic fluctuation, which is cyclically suppressed and incited (“switched off and on”), we synchronized SBRT-PATHY with its most excitable phase, in order to overcome tumor tolerance locally and systemically. The aim of this study, therefore, was to report on the initial results of our latest innovation aimed to further improve BE/AE response rate by testing the effectiveness of the time-synchronized immune-guided SBRT-PATHY. Materials and methods In order to serially map the homeostatic anti-tumor immune response-fluctuations, High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Lymphocyte/Monocyte Ratio (LMR) were analyzed using high-order polynomial trend analysis as surrogate of immune system response. After the biomarker data analysis detected the immune fluctuations and related idiosyncratic immune cycle periodicity, we determined the “most favourable” and “least favourable” treatment time-positions in the immune cycle. In order to evaluate the impact of an idiosyncratic immune cycle on treatment outcomes, our first consecutive four patients were treated on the “most favourable” while the remaining four on the “least favourable” day. Results The median follow-up was 11.8 months. The biomarker data analysis showed periodic immune response fluctuations of regular frequency. The “right” synchronization of SBRT-PATHY with the “most favorable day” of anti-tumor immune response was accompanied with improved clinical outcomes in terms of BE/AE-response rate. Conclusion We believe the right synchronization of radiotherapy with the homeostatically oscillating immune response may improve the probability of inducing BE/AE. Present study has been retrospectively registered on 18th of October 2019 by the ethic committee for Austrian region „Kärnten “in Klagenfurt (AUT), under study number A 37/19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- KABEG Klinikum Klagenfurt, Institute of Radiation Oncology, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | | | - Branislav Jeremic
- BioIRC, R&D Center for Biomedical Research, Kragujevac, SERBIA, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, 13 Tevdore Mgvdeli St., 0112, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tubin S, Khan MK, Salerno G, Mourad WF, Yan W, Jeremic B. Mono-institutional phase 2 study of innovative Stereotactic Body RadioTherapy targeting PArtial Tumor HYpoxic (SBRT-PATHY) clonogenic cells in unresectable bulky non-small cell lung cancer: profound non-targeted effects by sparing peri-tumoral immune microenvironment. Radiat Oncol 2019; 14:212. [PMID: 31771654 PMCID: PMC6878646 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-019-1410-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia may be limiting the success of therapy and could also negatively affect the ability of immune system in mediating the bystander (BE) and abscopal effects (AE). A novel SBRT-based PArtial Tumor irradiation of HYpoxic clonogenic cells (SBRT-PATHY) for induction of the tumoricidal BE and AE by sparing the peritumoral immune microenvironment and regional circulating lymphocytes has been developed to enhance the radiotherapy therapeutic ratio of advanced lung cancer. The aim of this retrospective review of prospectively collected mono-institutional phase 2 study was to compare the outcomes between unconventional SBRT-PATHY and standard of care in unresectable stage IIIB/IV bulky NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients considered inoperable or unsuitable for radical radio-chemotherapy were enrolled and treated using the following 3 regimens: SBRT-PATHY (group I, n = 20 patients), recommended standard of care chemotherapy (group II, n = 20 patients), and institutional conventional palliative radiotherapy (group III, n = 20 patients). RESULTS Median follow-up was 13 months. The 1-year overall survival was 75, 60, and 20% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p = 0.099). The 1-year cancer specific survival was 90, 60, and 20% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = 0.049). Bulky tumor control rate was 95% for SBRT-PATHY compared with 20% in the other two groups. BE and AE were seen by SBRT-PATHY in 95 and 45% of patients, respectively. Multi-variate analysis for cancer specific survival was significant for treatment effect with SBRT-PATHY (p < 0.001) independent of age, sex, performance status, histology, stage, treated bulky site and tumor diameter. SBRT-PATHY resulted in lower toxicity (p = 0.026), and improved symptom control (p = 0.018) when compared to other two treatment options. CONCLUSION SBRT-PATHY improved treatment outcomes in unresectable NSCLC and should be investigated in larger trials. Present study has been retrospectively registered on 8th of August 2019 by the ethic committee for Austrian region "Kärnten "in Klagenfurt (AUT), under study number A 31/19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- KABEG Klinikum Klagenfurt, Institute of Radiation Oncology, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | - Mohammad K Khan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, 1365-C Clifton Road, 30322, Atlanta, NE, Georgia
| | - Gerardo Salerno
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs / Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Universita' La Sapienza Roma, Ospedale Sant' Andrea, Via di Grottarossa, 1035, 00189, Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Waleed F Mourad
- Markey Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky Lexington ky, UK Medical Center MN 150, Lexington, KY, 40536-0298, USA
| | - Weisi Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, 111 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Branislav Jeremic
- BioIRC, R&D Center for Biomedical Research, Kragujevac, SERBIA and Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, 13 Tevdore Mgvdeli St, 0112, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tubin S, Popper HH, Brcic L. Novel stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)-based partial tumor irradiation targeting hypoxic segment of bulky tumors (SBRT-PATHY): improvement of the radiotherapy outcome by exploiting the bystander and abscopal effects. Radiat Oncol 2019; 14:21. [PMID: 30696472 PMCID: PMC6352381 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-019-1227-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the advances in oncology, patients with bulky tumors have worse prognosis and often receive only palliative treatments. Bulky disease represents an important challenging obstacle for all currently available radical treatment options including conventional radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess a retrospective outcome on the use of a newly developed unconventional stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for PArtial Tumor irradiation of unresectable bulky tumors targeting exclusively their HYpoxic segment (SBRT-PATHY) that exploits the non-targeted effects of radiotherapy: bystander effects (local) and the abscopal effects (distant). Materials and methods Twenty-three patients with bulky tumors received partial bulky irradiation in order to induce the local non-targeted effect of radiation (bystander effect). The hypoxic tumor segment, called the bystander tumor volume (BTV), was defined using PET and contrast-enhanced CT, as a hypovascularized-hypometabolic junctional zone between the central necrotic and peripheral hypervascularized-hypermetabolic tumor segment. Based on tumor site and volume, the BTV was irradiated with 1–3 fractions of 10–12 Gy prescribed to 70% isodose-line. The pathologic lymph nodes and metastases were not irradiated in order to assess the distant non-targeted effects of radiation (abscopal effect). No patient received any systemic therapy. Results At the time of analysis, with median follow-up of 9.4 months (range: 4–20), 87% of patients remained progression-free. The bystander and abscopal response rates were 96 and 52%, respectively. Median shrinkage of partially irradiated bulky tumor expressing intensity of the bystander effect was 70% (range 30–100%), whereas for the non-irradiated metastases (intensity of the abscopal effect), it was 50% (range 30–100%). No patient experienced acute or late toxicity of any grade. Conclusions SBRT-PATHY showed very inspiring results on exploitation of the radiation-hypoxia-induced non-targeted effects that need to be confirmed through our ongoing prospective trial. Present study has been retrospectively registered by the local ethic committee under study number A 26/18.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- KABEG Klinikum Klagenfurt, Institute of Radiation Oncology, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | - Helmut H Popper
- Medical University of Graz, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Luka Brcic
- Medical University of Graz, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8036, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Buchwald ZS, Wynne J, Nasti TH, Zhu S, Mourad WF, Yan W, Gupta S, Khleif SN, Khan MK. Radiation, Immune Checkpoint Blockade and the Abscopal Effect: A Critical Review on Timing, Dose and Fractionation. Front Oncol 2018; 8:612. [PMID: 30619752 PMCID: PMC6306034 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of radiation and immunotherapy is currently an exciting avenue of pre-clinical and clinical investigation. The synergy between these two treatment modalities has the potential to expand the role of radiation from a purely local therapy, to a role in advanced and metastatic disease. Tumor regression outside of the irradiated field, known as the abscopal effect, is a recognized phenomenon mediated by lymphocytes and enhanced by checkpoint blockade. In this review, we summarize the known mechanistic data behind the immunostimulatory effects of radiation and how this is enhanced by immunotherapy. We also provide pre-clinical data supporting specific radiation timing and optimal dose/fractionation for induction of a robust anti-tumor immune response with or without checkpoint blockade. Importantly, these data are placed in a larger context of understanding T-cell exhaustion and the impact of immunotherapy on this phenotype. We also include relevant pre-clinical studies done in non-tumor systems. We discuss the published clinical trials and briefly summarize salient case reports evaluating the abscopal effect. Much of the data discussed here remains at the preliminary stage, and a number of interesting avenues of research remain under investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary S Buchwald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jacob Wynne
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tahseen H Nasti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Simeng Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Waleed F Mourad
- Erlanger UT Radiation Oncology, Chattanooga, TN, United States
| | - Weisi Yan
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of Southern Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Seema Gupta
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Samir N Khleif
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Mohammad K Khan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lobachevsky PN, Ventura J, Giannakandropoulou L, Forrester H, Palazzolo JS, Haynes NM, Stevenson AW, Hall CJ, Mason J, Pollakis G, Pateras IS, Gorgoulis V, Terzoudi GI, Hamilton JA, Sprung CN, Georgakilas AG, Martin OA. A Functional Immune System Is Required for the Systemic Genotoxic Effects of Localized Irradiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018; 103:1184-1193. [PMID: 30529375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nontargeted effects of ionizing radiation, by which unirradiated cells and tissues are also damaged, are a relatively new paradigm in radiobiology. We recently reported radiation-induced abscopal effects (RIAEs) in normal tissues; namely, DNA damage, apoptosis, and activation of the local and systemic immune responses in C57BL6/J mice after irradiation of a small region of the body. High-dose-rate, synchrotron-generated broad beam or multiplanar x-ray microbeam radiation therapy was used with various field sizes and doses. This study explores components of the immune system involved in the generation of these abscopal effects. METHODS AND MATERIALS The following mice with various immune deficiencies were irradiated with the microbeam radiation therapy beam: (1) SCID/IL2γR-/- (NOD SCID gamma, NSG) mice, (2) wild-type C57BL6/J mice treated with an antibody-blocking macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor, which depletes and alters the function of macrophages, and (3) chemokine ligand 2/monocyte chemotactic protein 1 null mice. Complex DNA damage (ie, DNA double-strand breaks), oxidatively induced clustered DNA lesions, and apoptotic cells in tissues distant from the irradiation site were measured as RIAE endpoints and compared with those in wild-type C57BL6/J mice. RESULTS Wild-type mice accumulated double-strand breaks, oxidatively induced clustered DNA lesions, and apoptosis, enforcing our RIAE model. However, these effects were completely or partially abrogated in mice with immune disruption, highlighting the pivotal role of the immune system in propagation of systemic genotoxic effects after localized irradiation. CONCLUSIONS These results underline the importance of not only delineating the best strategies for tumor control but also mitigating systemic radiation toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel N Lobachevsky
- Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Ventura
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Royal Women's Hospital
| | - Lina Giannakandropoulou
- School of Applied Mathematical & Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Helen Forrester
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason S Palazzolo
- Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole M Haynes
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew W Stevenson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Australian Synchrotron, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Joel Mason
- Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gerasimos Pollakis
- School of Applied Mathematical & Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis S Pateras
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Gorgoulis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece; Institute for Cancer Sciences and Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia I Terzoudi
- Laboratory of Health Physics, Radiobiology & Cytogenetics, Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety, National Center for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Athens, Greece
| | - John A Hamilton
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), University of Melbourne and Western Health, St. Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carl N Sprung
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexandros G Georgakilas
- School of Applied Mathematical & Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga A Martin
- Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Division of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tubin S, Ahmed MM, Gupta S. Radiation and hypoxia-induced non-targeted effects in normoxic and hypoxic conditions in human lung cancer cells. Int J Radiat Biol 2018; 94:199-211. [PMID: 29293036 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1422085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many cell lines with anaerobic metabolism do not show cytotoxic abscopal effect (AE) following irradiation. Further, there is no existing data on the radiation- and hypoxia (H)-induced AE. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the status of radiation-induced abscopal effect (RIAE) in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. METHODS Lung cancer cells (A549, H460) were exposed either to hypoxia or normoxia and then irradiated (2 or 10 Gy). After 24 h, unirradiated hypoxic (H-CM) or normoxic (N-CM) conditioned media (CM) and irradiated hypoxic (H-RCM) or normoxic (N-RCM) CM was collected. Hypoxia-resistant clones (HR: A549/HR, H460/HR) were generated by continuous exposure of the cells to hypoxia. Unirradiated parental cells or HR were exposed to H-CM, N-CM, H-RCM or N-RCM. In some groups, 24 h after exposure to CM, cells were directly irradiated with 2 Gy. Cell growth was monitored using real-time cell electronic sensing system. Further, levels of hypoxia and HIF1α regulated angiogenesis related growth factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed in CM. RESULTS In the radio-resistant A549 cells, H-RCM was much more effective in inducing growth delay compared to N-RCM. In the radio-sensitive H460 cells, both N-RCM and H-RCM induced growth delay. Interestingly, effects of N-RCM were completely reversed in HR cells. Exposure of cells to direct irradiation (2 Gy) 24 h after incubation with CM resulted in 50-60% reduction in cell proliferation in A549/HR cells and a very significant induction of death (>95%) in H460/HR cells. Direct irradiation of parental or HR clones of A549 and H460 cells exposed to H-CM 24 h with 2 Gy induced significant reduction in cell proliferation (from 40% to >95%) in all the cells. Further, levels of sFlt-1 correlated with growth delay in all the cells. CONCLUSIONS These results for the first time demonstrate that irradiation of hypoxic cells and exposing the cells to acute hypoxia lead to significant AE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavisa Tubin
- a Department of Radiation Oncology , Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine , Miami , FL , USA
| | - Mansoor M Ahmed
- b Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis , National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Radiotherapy Development Branch, Radiation Research Program , Rockville , MD , USA
| | - Seema Gupta
- a Department of Radiation Oncology , Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine , Miami , FL , USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chicas-Sett R, Morales-Orue I, Rodriguez-Abreu D, Lara-Jimenez P. Combining radiotherapy and ipilimumab induces clinically relevant radiation-induced abscopal effects in metastatic melanoma patients: A systematic review. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2017; 9:5-11. [PMID: 29594244 PMCID: PMC5862682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy plus ipilimumab increases abscopal responses in metastatic melanoma patients. Radiotherapy plus ipilimumab improves the OS in metastatic melanoma patients. Radiotherapy plus ipilimumab does not increase toxicity in metastatic melanoma patients.
Background In the last years, limited studies have described that radiotherapy could produce important distant responses in unirradiated sites, the so-called “abscopal effect”. Recent evidence suggests that radiotherapy induces antigen release from tumor, in this way activating the immune system. However, radiotherapy alone is rarely enough to induce the systemic response requested for control of the metastases. With the advent of immunotherapy, the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have demonstrated impressive efficacy in various metastatic cancers. Currently, preclinical and clinical studies have reported a significant increase of abscopal responses in patients treated with the combination of radiotherapy and ICI. The purpose of this review was summarizing the clinical studies combining radiotherapy and ipilimumab (ipi), particularly focusing on abscopal responses. Methods and Materials Databases of Medline (via Pubmed) from 2009 to June 2, 2017 were reviewed to obtain English language studies reporting clinical abscopal effect in the combination of radiotherapy with exclusive ipi in metastatic melanoma cancers. Included studies reported the abscopal effect as a primary endpoint, and as secondary endpoint included overall survival and toxicity. Results A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies included a total of 451 patients, and in 5/16 studies the patients were treated on research protocols and followed-up prospectively. The median reported abscopal effect and OS were 26.5% and 19 months, respectively. The median toxicity ≥ Grade 3 was 18.3% ranged from 10% to 20%. Conclusion Early clinical outcomes reports suggest that the combination of ipilimumab and RT may improve survival in metastatic melanoma patients. The abscopal responses become a clinically relevant effect of such combination and should be studied in controlled randomized trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Chicas-Sett
- Department of Radiation Oncology, "Dr. Negrín" University Hospital of Gran Canaria, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ignacio Morales-Orue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, "Dr. Negrín" University Hospital of Gran Canaria, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Delvys Rodriguez-Abreu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Insular University Hospital of Gran Canaria, Plaza Doctor Pasteur s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pedro Lara-Jimenez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, "Dr. Negrín" University Hospital of Gran Canaria, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| |
Collapse
|