1
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Sheva K, Roy Chowdhury S, Kravchenko-Balasha N, Meirovitz A. Molecular Changes in Breast Cancer Induced by Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024:S0360-3016(24)00435-8. [PMID: 38508467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer treatments are based on prognostic clinicopathologic features that form the basis for therapeutic guidelines. Although the utilization of these guidelines has decreased breast cancer-associated mortality rates over the past three decades, they are not adequate for individualized therapy. Radiation therapy (RT) is the backbone of breast cancer treatment. Although a highly successful therapeutic modality clinically, from a biological perspective, preclinical studies have shown RT to have the potential to alter tumor cell phenotype, immunogenicity, and the surrounding microenvironment, potentially changing the behavior of cancer cells and resulting in a significant variation in RT response. This review presents the recent advances in revealing the complex molecular changes induced by RT in the treatment of breast cancer and highlights the complexities of translating this information into clinically relevant tools for improved prognostic insights and the revelation of novel approaches for optimizing RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS Current literature was reviewed with a focus on recent advances made in the elucidation of tumor-associated radiation-induced molecular changes across molecular, genetic, and proteomic bases. This review was structured with the aim of providing an up-to-date overview over the very broad and complex subject matter of radiation-induced molecular changes and radioresistance, familiarizing the reader with the broader issue at hand. RESULTS The subject of radiation-induced molecular changes in breast cancer has been broached from various physiological focal points including that of the immune system, immunogenicity and the abscopal effect, tumor hypoxia, breast cancer classification and subtyping, molecular heterogeneity, and molecular plasticity. It is becoming increasingly apparent that breast cancer clinical subtyping alone does not adequately account for variation in RT response or radioresistance. Multiple components of the tumor microenvironment and immune system, delivered RT dose and fractionation schedules, radiation-induced bystander effects, and intrinsic tumor physiology and heterogeneity all contribute to the resultant RT outcome. CONCLUSIONS Despite recent advances and improvements in anticancer therapies, tumor resistance remains a significant challenge. As new analytical techniques and technologies continue to provide crucial insight into the complex molecular mechanisms of breast cancer and its treatment responses, it is becoming more evident that personalized anticancer treatment regimens may be vital in overcoming radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Sheva
- The Legacy Heritage Oncology Center & Dr Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Medicine, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
| | - Sangita Roy Chowdhury
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nataly Kravchenko-Balasha
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Amichay Meirovitz
- The Legacy Heritage Oncology Center & Dr Larry Norton Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Faculty of Medicine, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
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2
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Xuan L, Bai C, Ju Z, Luo J, Guan H, Zhou PK, Huang R. Radiation-targeted immunotherapy: A new perspective in cancer radiotherapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 75:1-11. [PMID: 38061920 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In contemporary oncology, radiation therapy and immunotherapy stand as critical treatments, each with distinct mechanisms and outcomes. Radiation therapy, a key player in cancer management, targets cancer cells by damaging their DNA with ionizing radiation. Its effectiveness is heightened when used alongside other treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. Employing varied radiation types like X-rays, gamma rays, and proton beams, this approach aims to minimize damage to healthy tissue. However, it is not without risks, including potential damage to surrounding normal cells and side effects ranging from skin inflammation to serious long-term complications. Conversely, immunotherapy marks a revolutionary step in cancer treatment, leveraging the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. It manipulates the immune system's specificity and memory, offering a versatile approach either alone or in combination with other treatments. Immunotherapy is known for its targeted action, long-lasting responses, and fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies. The interaction between radiation therapy and immunotherapy is intricate, with potential for both synergistic and antagonistic effects. Their combined use can be more effective than either treatment alone, but careful consideration of timing and sequence is essential. This review explores the impact of various radiation therapy regimens on immunotherapy, focusing on changes in the immune microenvironment, immune protein expression, and epigenetic factors, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment strategies and ongoing research to enhance the efficacy of these combined therapies in cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Xuan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Chenjun Bai
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhao Ju
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Jinhua Luo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China; Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ping-Kun Zhou
- Department of Radiation Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Ruixue Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410078, China.
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3
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Helm A, Fournier C. High-LET charged particles: radiobiology and application for new approaches in radiotherapy. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:1225-1241. [PMID: 37872399 PMCID: PMC10674019 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The number of patients treated with charged-particle radiotherapy as well as the number of treatment centers is increasing worldwide, particularly regarding protons. However, high-linear energy transfer (LET) particles, mainly carbon ions, are of special interest for application in radiotherapy, as their special physical features result in high precision and hence lower toxicity, and at the same time in increased efficiency in cell inactivation in the target region, i.e., the tumor. The radiobiology of high-LET particles differs with respect to DNA damage repair, cytogenetic damage, and cell death type, and their increased LET can tackle cells' resistance to hypoxia. Recent developments and perspectives, e.g., the return of high-LET particle therapy to the US with a center planned at Mayo clinics, the application of carbon ion radiotherapy using cost-reducing cyclotrons and the application of helium is foreseen to increase the interest in this type of radiotherapy. However, further preclinical research is needed to better understand the differential radiobiological mechanisms as opposed to photon radiotherapy, which will help to guide future clinical studies for optimal exploitation of high-LET particle therapy, in particular related to new concepts and innovative approaches. Herein, we summarize the basics and recent progress in high-LET particle radiobiology with a focus on carbon ions and discuss the implications of current knowledge for charged-particle radiotherapy. We emphasize the potential of high-LET particles with respect to immunogenicity and especially their combination with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Helm
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Claudia Fournier
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, Germany.
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4
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Sano T, Saito R, Aizawa R, Watanabe T, Murakami K, Kita Y, Masui K, Goto T, Mizowaki T, Kobayashi T. Current trends in the promising immune checkpoint inhibition and radiotherapy combination for locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol 2023; 28:1573-1584. [PMID: 37874429 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-023-02421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) remains a challenging malignancy, though several novel therapeutic drugs have been developed in recent years. Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have shifted the paradigm of therapeutic strategies for UC; however, only a limited number of patients respond to ICI. Since radiotherapy (RT) is widely known to induce systemic immune activation, it may boost the efficacy of ICI. Conversely, RT also causes exhaustion of cytotoxic T cells, and the activation and recruitment of immunosuppressive cells; ICI may help overcome these immunosuppressive effects. Therefore, the combination of ICI and RT has attracted attention in recent years. The therapeutic benefits of this combination therapy and its optimal regimen have not yet been determined through prospective studies. Therefore, this review article aimed to provide an overview of the current preclinical and clinical studies that illustrate the underlying mechanisms and explore the optimization of the RT regimen along with the ICI and RT combination sequence. We also analyzed ongoing prospective studies on ICI and RT combination therapies for metastatic UC. We noted that the tumor response to ICI and RT combination seemingly differs among cancer types. Thus, our findings highlight the need for well-designed prospective trials to determine the optimal combination of ICI and RT for locally advanced and metastatic UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Sano
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Kansai Medical University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata-shi, Osaka, 573-1010, Japan
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Saito
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Rihito Aizawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Image-Applied Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Watanabe
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2 Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Kaoru Murakami
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yuki Kita
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kimihiko Masui
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Takayuki Goto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Takashi Mizowaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Image-Applied Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Takashi Kobayashi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoinkawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
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Antelo G, Comas S, Casas F, Valduvieco I, Barreto T, Laplana M, Mases J, Oses G, Mollà M. Clinical outcomes and timing on the combination of focal radiation therapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of brain metastases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1236398. [PMID: 37915576 PMCID: PMC10616465 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1236398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Radiotherapy is one of the standard treatments for brain metastases (BM). Over the past years, the introduction of immunotherapy as routine treatment for solid tumors has forced investigators to review and evaluate how it would interact with radiation. Radiation and Immunotherapy have shown a synergic effect activating the host's immune system and enhancing treatment response. The combinatory effect on BM is currently under investigation. Methods Data published on Pubmed to determine toxicity, survival, treatment characteristics and timing on the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of BM has been reviewed. Results Mostly retrospective reviews report an improvement of intracranial progression free survival (iPFS) when combining radioimmunotherapy for BM patients. Two systematic reviews and meta-analysis and one phase II prospective trial also report a benefit on iPFS without an increase of toxicity. Among the published literature, the definition of concurrency is heterogeneous, being one month or even narrowed intervals correlated to better clinical outcomes. Toxicity due to concurrent radioimmunotherapy, specifically symptomatic radionecrosis, is also directly analyzed and reported to be low, similar to the toxicity rates secondary to stereotactic radiosurgery alone. Conclusion Radiation combined with immunotherapy has shown in predominantly retrospective reviews a synergic effect on the treatment of BM. The concurrent combination of radioimmunotherapy is a feasible therapeutic strategy and seems to improve clinical outcomes, especially iPFS, when delivered within <30 days. Larger prospective and randomized studies are needed to establish reliable outcomes, best delivery strategies and toxicity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Antelo
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Comas
- Radiation Oncology Department, Institut Catalá d'Oncologia (ICO), Badalona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Francesc Casas
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Izaskun Valduvieco
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tanny Barreto
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Laplana
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joel Mases
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Oses
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Mollà
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Ahern V, Adeberg S, Fossati P, Garrett R, Hoppe B, Mahajan A, Orlandi E, Orecchia R, Prokopovich D, Seuntjens J, Thwaites D, Trifiletti D, Tsang R, Tsuji H. An international approach to estimating the indications and number of eligible patients for carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT) in Australia. Radiother Oncol 2023; 187:109816. [PMID: 37480996 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To establish the treatment indications and potential patient numbers for carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT) at the proposed national carbon ion (and proton) therapy facility in the Westmead precinct, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. METHODS An expert panel was convened, including representatives of four operational and two proposed international carbon ion facilities, as well as NSW-based CIRT stakeholders. They met virtually to consider CIRT available evidence and experience. Information regarding Japanese CIRT was provided pre- and post- the virtual meeting. Published information for South Korea was included in discussions. RESULTS There was jurisdictional variation in the tumours treated by CIRT due to differing incidences of some tumours, referral patterns, differences in decisions regarding which tumours to prioritise, CIRT resources available and funding arrangements. The greatest level of consensus was reached that CIRT in Australia can be justified currently for patients with adenoid cystic carcinomas and mucosal melanomas of the head and neck, hepatocellular cancer and liver metastases, base of skull meningiomas, chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Almost 1400 Australian patients annually meet the consensus-derived indications now. CONCLUSION A conservative estimate is that 1% of cancer patients in Australia (or 2% of patients recommended for radiation therapy) may preferentially benefit from CIRT for initial therapy of radiation resistant tumours, or to boost persistently active disease after other therapies, or for re-irradiation of recurrent disease. On this basis, one national carbon ion facility with up to four treatment rooms is justified for Australian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verity Ahern
- Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network, Westmead, Australia; Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sebastian Adeberg
- Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (MIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Marburg, Germany; Department of Radiation Oncology, Marburg University Hospital, Marburg, Germany
| | - Piero Fossati
- MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Austria; Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Austria
| | - Richard Garrett
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Australia
| | | | | | - Ester Orlandi
- National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (Fondazione CNAO), Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Orecchia
- Scientific Directorate, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Jan Seuntjens
- Department of Medical Physics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada; Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Thwaites
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia; Radiotherapy Research Group, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Richard Tsang
- Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hiroshi Tsuji
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
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7
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Zhou Z, Guan B, Xia H, Zheng R, Xu B. Particle radiotherapy in the era of radioimmunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2023:216268. [PMID: 37331583 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the key modalities for cancer treatment, and more than 70% of tumor patients will receive RT during the course of their disease. Particle radiotherapy, such as proton radiotherapy, carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), is currently available for the treatment of patients Immunotherapy combined with photon RT has been successfully used in the clinic. The effect of immunotherapy combined with particle RT is an area of interest. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of combined immunotherapy and particle RT remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarize the properties of different types of particle RT and the mechanisms underlying their radiobiological effects. Additionally, we compared the main molecular players in photon RT and particle RT and the mechanisms involved the RT-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Bingjie Guan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Huang Xia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Rong Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Precision Radiotherapy for Tumors (Fujian Medical University), Fuzhou, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fujian, China; Clinical Research Center for Radiology and Radiotherapy of Fujian Province (Digestive, Hematological and Breast Malignancies), Fuzhou, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fujian, China.
| | - Benhua Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Intelligent Imaging and Precision Radiotherapy for Tumors (Fujian Medical University), Fuzhou, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fujian, China; Clinical Research Center for Radiology and Radiotherapy of Fujian Province (Digestive, Hematological and Breast Malignancies), Fuzhou, Xinquan Road 29, Fuzhou, 350000, Fujian, China.
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8
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Galluzzi L, Aryankalayil MJ, Coleman CN, Formenti SC. Emerging evidence for adapting radiotherapy to immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023:10.1038/s41571-023-00782-x. [PMID: 37280366 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the clinical management of many malignancies but is infrequently associated with durable objective responses when used as a standalone treatment approach, calling for the development of combinatorial regimens with superior efficacy and acceptable toxicity. Radiotherapy, the most commonly used oncological treatment, has attracted considerable attention as a combination partner for immunotherapy owing to its well-known and predictable safety profile, widespread clinical availability, and potential for immunostimulatory effects. However, numerous randomized clinical trials investigating radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations have failed to demonstrate a therapeutic benefit compared with either modality alone. Such a lack of interaction might reflect suboptimal study design, choice of end points and/or administration of radiotherapy according to standard schedules and target volumes. Indeed, radiotherapy has empirically evolved towards radiation doses and fields that enable maximal cancer cell killing with manageable toxicity to healthy tissues, without much consideration of potential radiation-induced immunostimulatory effects. Herein, we propose the concept that successful radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations might require modifications of standard radiotherapy regimens and target volumes to optimally sustain immune fitness and enhance the antitumour immune response in support of meaningful clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Molykutty J Aryankalayil
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - C Norman Coleman
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Silvia C Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Guo S, Yao Y, Tang Y, Xin Z, Wu D, Ni C, Huang J, Wei Q, Zhang T. Radiation-induced tumor immune microenvironments and potential targets for combination therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:205. [PMID: 37208386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the four major means of cancer treatment including surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, RT can be applied to various cancers as both a radical cancer treatment and an adjuvant treatment before or after surgery. Although RT is an important modality for cancer treatment, the consequential changes caused by RT in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have not yet been fully elucidated. RT-induced damage to cancer cells leads to different outcomes, such as survival, senescence, or death. During RT, alterations in signaling pathways result in changes in the local immune microenvironment. However, some immune cells are immunosuppressive or transform into immunosuppressive phenotypes under specific conditions, leading to the development of radioresistance. Patients who are radioresistant respond poorly to RT and may experience cancer progression. Given that the emergence of radioresistance is inevitable, new radiosensitization treatments are urgently needed. In this review, we discuss the changes in irradiated cancer cells and immune cells in the TME under different RT regimens and describe existing and potential molecules that could be targeted to improve the therapeutic effects of RT. Overall, this review highlights the possibilities of synergistic therapy by building on existing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yihan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zengfeng Xin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dang Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qichun Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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10
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Cavalieri S, Vitolo V, Barcellini A, Ronchi S, Facoetti A, Campo C, Klersy C, Molinelli S, Agustoni F, Ferretti VV, Silvestri AD, Platania M, Del Vecchio M, Durante M, Helm A, Fournier C, Braud FD, Pedrazzoli P, Orlandi E, Licitra L. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and Carbon iON radiotherapy In solid Cancers with stable disease (ICONIC). Future Oncol 2023; 19:193-203. [PMID: 36974574 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2022-0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
ICONIC is a multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized phase II clinical trial aiming to assess the feasibility and clinical activity of the addition of carbon ion radiotherapy to immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients who have obtained disease stability with pembrolizumab administered as per standard-of-care. The primary end point is objective response rate, and the secondary end points are safety, survival and disease control rate. Translational research is an exploratory aim. The planned sample size is 27 patients. The study combination will be considered worth investigating if at least four objective responses are observed. If the null hypothesis is rejected, ICONIC will be the first proof of concept of the feasibility and clinical activity of the addition of carbon ion radiotherapy to immune checkpoint inhibitors in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cavalieri
- Department of Head & Neck Medical Oncology 3, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
- Department of Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9/1, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Viviana Vitolo
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Amelia Barcellini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine & Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Via Aselli 43/45, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Sara Ronchi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Angelica Facoetti
- Radiobiology Unit, Research and Development Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Chiara Campo
- Scientific Direction, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Catherine Klersy
- SSD Biostatistica & Clinical Trial Center Service of Biometry and Statistics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Silvia Molinelli
- Medical Physics, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Francesco Agustoni
- Department of Internal Medicine & Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Via Aselli 43/45, Pavia, 27100, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Virginia Valeria Ferretti
- SSD Biostatistica & Clinical Trial Center Service of Biometry and Statistics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Silvestri
- SSD Biostatistica & Clinical Trial Center Service of Biometry and Statistics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Marco Platania
- Department of Medical Oncology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Department of Medical Oncology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Marco Durante
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, 64291, Germany
| | - Alexander Helm
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, 64291, Germany
| | - Claudia Fournier
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, 64291, Germany
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Department of Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9/1, Milan, 20122, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrazzoli
- Department of Internal Medicine & Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Via Aselli 43/45, Pavia, 27100, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi 19, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Ester Orlandi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Lisa Licitra
- Department of Head & Neck Medical Oncology 3, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
- Department of Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9/1, Milan, 20122, Italy
- Scientific Direction, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Via E. Borloni 1, Pavia, 27100, Italy
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11
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Helm A, Totis C, Durante M, Fournier C. Are charged particles a good match for combination with immunotherapy? Current knowledge and perspectives. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 376:1-36. [PMID: 36997266 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Charged particle radiotherapy, mainly using protons and carbon ions, provides physical characteristics allowing for a volume conformal irradiation and a reduction of the integral dose to normal tissue. Carbon ion therapy additionally features an increased biological effectiveness resulting in peculiar molecular effects. Immunotherapy, mostly performed with immune checkpoint inhibitors, is nowadays considered a pillar in cancer therapy. Based on the advantageous features of charged particle radiotherapy, we review pre-clinical evidence revealing a strong potential of its combination with immunotherapy. We argue that the combination therapy deserves further investigation with the aim of translation in clinics, where a few studies have been set up already.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Helm
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - C Totis
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - C Fournier
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
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12
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Koukourakis IM, Tiniakos D, Kouloulias V, Zygogianni A. The molecular basis of immuno-radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Biol 2022; 99:715-736. [PMID: 36383201 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2144960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy are powerful anti-tumor treatment modalities. Experimental research has demonstrated an important interplay between the cytotoxic effects of RT and the immune system. This systematic review provides an overview of the basics of anti-tumor immunity and focuses on the mechanisms underlying the interplay between RT and immune anti-tumor response that set the molecular basis of immuno-RT. CONCLUSIONS An 'immunity acquired equilibrium' mimicking tumor dormancy can be achieved post-irradiation treatment, with the balance shifted toward tumor eradication or regrowth when immune cells' cytotoxic effects or cancer proliferation rate prevail, respectively. RT has both immunosuppressive and immune-enhancing properties. The latter effect is also known as radio-vaccination. Its mechanisms involve up- or down-regulation of membrane molecules, such as PD-L1, HLA-class-I, CD80/86, CD47, and Fas/CD95, that play a vital role in immune checkpoint pathways and increased cytokine expression (e.g. INFα,β,γ, IL1,2, and TNFα) by cancer or immune cells. Moreover, the interactions of radiation with the tumor microenvironment (fibroblasts, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells are also an important component of radio-vaccination. Thus, RT may have anti-tumor vaccine properties, whose sequels can be exploited by immunotherapy agents to treat different cancer subtypes effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis M. Koukourakis
- Radiation Oncology Unit, First Department of Radiology, Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUOA), Athens, Greece
| | - Dina Tiniakos
- Department of Pathology, Aretaieion University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Vassilis Kouloulias
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Second Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Rimini 1, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Zygogianni
- Radiation Oncology Unit, First Department of Radiology, Medical School, Aretaieion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUOA), Athens, Greece
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13
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Qiu X, Gao J, Yang J, Hu J, Hu W, Huang Q, Kong L, Lu JJ. Carbon-ion radiotherapy boost with standard dose proton radiation for incomplete-resected high-grade glioma: a phase 1 study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:1193. [PMID: 36544659 PMCID: PMC9761177 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-7750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of a carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) boost prior to standard dose proton radiotherapy (PRT) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) patients with residual lesion after resection. Methods In total, 18 patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) (16 with GBM and 2 with AA) were enrolled in a prospective 3×3 design phase 1 trial. We investigated four dose-levels of CIRT boost [9 (starting level), 12, 15, and 18 Gy relative biological effectiveness (RBE)] delivered in three equal fractions prior to the standard dose PRT (60 Gy RBE in 30 fractions). Concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) was not provided during the CIRT boost but was initiated on the first day of PRT. Acute and late toxicities were scored based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, v 4.03). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined as radiation-induced severe toxicities (≥ grade 3). Results With a median follow-up of 17.9 months, no severe (≥ grade 3) acute or late toxicities were observed in patients treated with the first three dose levels (CIRT boost doses of 9, 12, 15 Gy RBE). Severe late toxicity (grade 3 radiation necrosis) was observed in the first patient treated with the 18 Gy RBE CIRT boost level. Therefore, this trial was terminated and the MTD of the induction CIRT boost was determined at 15 Gy RBE in 3 fractions. At the time of this analysis, both patients with AA were alive without disease progression. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for GBM at 12 months were 50.6% and 78.6%, respectively. Conclusions Particle beam radiotherapy consisting of a CIRT boost of 15 Gy RBE (in 3 fractions) following standard dose PRT (60 Gy RBE in 30 fractions), and used in conjunction with TMZ, is safe and potentially effective for patients with HGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianxin Qiu
- 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;,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Center, Shanghai, China;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Gao
- 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;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), 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;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
| | - Jiyi Hu
- 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;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
| | - Weixu Hu
- 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;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
| | - Qingting Huang
- 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;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Kong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China;,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Center, Shanghai, China;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
| | - Jiade J. 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;,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
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14
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Combining Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Current Status and Future Directions. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040821. [PMID: 35453571 PMCID: PMC9024725 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of radiotherapy and immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is of emerging interest in many solid tumours, including breast cancer. There is increasing evidence that the host’s immune system plays an important role in influencing the response to treatment and prognosis in breast cancer. Several pre-clinical studies and clinical trials have reported on the ‘abscopal effect—regression of distant untreated tumour sites, mediated by an immunological response following ionizing radiation to a targeted tumour site. Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) is a non-invasive technique used to augment various immune responses with an ablative tumoricidal dose when compared to conventional radiotherapy. SABR is characterized by typically 1–5 precision radiotherapy treatments that simultaneously deliver a high dose, whilst sparing normal tissues. Following SABR, there is evidence of systemic immune activation in patients with increased PD1 expression on CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Studies continue to focus on metastatic triple-negative disease, a highly immunogenic subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. In this review, we discuss the immunological effect of SABR, alone and in combination with immunotherapy, and the importance of dose and fractionation. We also propose future strategies for treating oligometastatic disease, where this approach may be most useful for producing durable responses.
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15
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Particle radiotherapy and molecular therapies: mechanisms and strategies towards clinical applications. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e8. [PMID: 35101155 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are now commonly used in clinical trials in combination with radiotherapy for several cancers. While results are promising and encouraging, the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between the drugs and radiation remain largely unknown. This is especially important when switching from conventional photon therapy to particle therapy using protons or heavier ions. Different dose deposition patterns and molecular radiobiology can in fact modify the interaction with drugs and their effectiveness. We will show here that whilst the main molecular players are the same after low and high linear energy transfer radiation exposure, significant differences are observed in post-exposure signalling pathways that may lead to different effects of the drugs. We will also emphasise that the problem of the timing between drug administration and radiation and the fractionation regime are critical issues that need to be addressed urgently to achieve optimal results in combined treatments with particle therapy.
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16
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Okamoto M, Sato H, GAO X, Ohno T. Pembrolizumab following carbon ion radiotherapy for alveolar soft part sarcoma shows a remarkable abscopal effect: A case report. Adv Radiat Oncol 2022; 7:100893. [PMID: 35198839 PMCID: PMC8841365 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2021.100893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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17
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Miyasaka Y, Sato H, Okano N, Kubo N, Kawamura H, Ohno T. A Promising Treatment Strategy for Lung Cancer: A Combination of Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:203. [PMID: 35008367 PMCID: PMC8750493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide despite advances in treatment. In the past few decades, radiotherapy has achieved outstanding technical advances and is being widely used as a definitive, prophylactic, or palliative treatment of patients with lung cancer. The anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy are considered to result in DNA damage in cancer cells. Moreover, recent evidence has demonstrated another advantage of radiotherapy: the induction of anti-tumor immune responses, which play an essential role in cancer control. In contrast, radiotherapy induces an immunosuppressive response. These conflicting reactions after radiotherapy suggest that maximizing immune response to radiotherapy by combining immunotherapy has potential to achieve more effective anti-tumor response than using each alone. Immune checkpoint molecules, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, programmed cell death-1/programmed death-ligand 1, and their inhibitors, have attracted significant attention for overcoming the immunosuppressive conditions in patients with cancer. Therefore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiotherapy is promising. Emerging preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the rationale for these combination strategies. In this review, we outlined evidence suggesting that combination of radiotherapy, including particle therapy using protons and carbon ions, with immunotherapy in lung cancer treatment could be a promising treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Miyasaka
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (N.K.); (H.K.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiro Sato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (N.K.); (H.K.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Naoko Okano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (N.K.); (H.K.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Nobuteru Kubo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (N.K.); (H.K.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hidemasa Kawamura
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (N.K.); (H.K.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ohno
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (N.K.); (H.K.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
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18
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Macaeva E, Tabury K, Michaux A, Janssen A, Averbeck N, Moreels M, De Vos WH, Baatout S, Quintens R. High-LET Carbon and Iron Ions Elicit a Prolonged and Amplified p53 Signaling and Inflammatory Response Compared to low-LET X-Rays in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:768493. [PMID: 34888245 PMCID: PMC8649625 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.768493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the differences in biological response to photon and particle radiation is important for optimal exploitation of particle therapy for cancer patients, as well as for the adequate application of radiation protection measures for astronauts. To address this need, we compared the transcriptional profiles of isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells 8 h after exposure to 1 Gy of X-rays, carbon ions or iron ions with those of non-irradiated cells using microarray technology. All genes that were found differentially expressed in response to either radiation type were up-regulated and predominantly controlled by p53. Quantitative PCR of selected genes revealed a significantly higher up-regulation 24 h after exposure to heavy ions as compared to X-rays, indicating their prolonged activation. This coincided with increased residual DNA damage as evidenced by quantitative γH2AX foci analysis. Furthermore, despite the converging p53 signature between radiation types, specific gene sets related to the immune response were significantly enriched in up-regulated genes following irradiation with heavy ions. In addition, irradiation, and in particular exposure to carbon ions, promoted transcript variation. Differences in basal and iron ion exposure-induced expression of DNA repair genes allowed the identification of a donor with distinct DNA repair profile. This suggests that gene signatures may serve as a sensitive indicator of individual DNA damage repair capacity. In conclusion, we have shown that photon and particle irradiation induce similar transcriptional pathways, albeit with variable amplitude and timing, but also elicit radiation type-specific responses that may have implications for cancer progression and treatment
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellina Macaeva
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kevin Tabury
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Arlette Michaux
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Janssen
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Nicole Averbeck
- Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marjan Moreels
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Studiecentrum voor kernenergie - Centre d'étude de l'énergie nucléaire (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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Boustani J, Lecoester B, Baude J, Latour C, Adotevi O, Mirjolet C, Truc G. Anti-PD-1/Anti-PD-L1 Drugs and Radiation Therapy: Combinations and Optimization Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194893. [PMID: 34638376 PMCID: PMC8508444 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although immune checkpoint blockade has yielded unprecedented and durable responses in cancer patients, the efficacy of this treatment remains limited. Radiation therapy can induce immunogenic cell death that contributes to the local efficacy of irradiation. However, radiation-induced systemic responses are scarce. Studies combining radiation with checkpoint inhibitors suggest a synergistic potential of this strategy. In this review, we focused on parameters that can be optimized to enhance the anti-tumor immune response that results from this association, in order to achieve data on dose, fractionation, target volume, lymph nodes sparing, radiation particles, and other immunomodulatory agents. These factors should be considered in future trials for better clinical outcomes. To this end, we discussed the main preclinical and clinical data available to optimize the efficacy of the treatment combination. Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been associated with long-term complete responses leading to improved overall survival in several cancer types. However, these novel immunotherapies are only effective in a small proportion of patients, and therapeutic resistance represents a major limitation in clinical practice. As with chemotherapy, there is substantial evidence that radiation therapy promotes anti-tumor immune responses that can enhance systemic responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we discuss the main preclinical and clinical evidence on strategies that can lead to an enhanced response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in combination with radiation therapy. We focused on central issues in optimizing radiation therapy, such as the optimal dose and fractionation for improving the therapeutic ratio, as well as the impact on immune and clinical responses of dose rate, target volume, lymph nodes irradiation, and type of radiation particle. We explored the addition of a third immunomodulatory agent to the combination such as other checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and treatment targeting the tumor microenvironment components. The strategies described in this review provide a lead for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihane Boustani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Georges François Leclerc, UNICANCER, 21079 Dijon, France; (J.B.); (J.B.); (C.L.); (G.T.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
- INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT, Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France; (B.L.); (O.A.)
| | - Benoît Lecoester
- INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT, Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France; (B.L.); (O.A.)
| | - Jérémy Baude
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Georges François Leclerc, UNICANCER, 21079 Dijon, France; (J.B.); (J.B.); (C.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Charlène Latour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Georges François Leclerc, UNICANCER, 21079 Dijon, France; (J.B.); (J.B.); (C.L.); (G.T.)
- INSERM UMR 1231, Cadir Team, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Olivier Adotevi
- INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, RIGHT, Interactions Greffon-Hôte-Tumeur/Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France; (B.L.); (O.A.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Céline Mirjolet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Georges François Leclerc, UNICANCER, 21079 Dijon, France; (J.B.); (J.B.); (C.L.); (G.T.)
- INSERM UMR 1231, Cadir Team, 21000 Dijon, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Gilles Truc
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Georges François Leclerc, UNICANCER, 21079 Dijon, France; (J.B.); (J.B.); (C.L.); (G.T.)
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20
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Zhu S, Zhang T, Zheng L, Liu H, Song W, Liu D, Li Z, Pan CX. Combination strategies to maximize the benefits of cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:156. [PMID: 34579759 PMCID: PMC8475356 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) have revolutionized cancer treatment, especially in patients whose disease was otherwise considered incurable. However, primary and secondary resistance to single agent immunotherapy often results in treatment failure, and only a minority of patients experience long-term benefits. This review article will discuss the relationship between cancer immune response and mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. It will also provide a comprehensive review on the latest clinical status of combination therapies (e.g., immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy), and discuss combination therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It will provide an overview of therapies targeting cytokines and other soluble immunoregulatory factors, ACT, virotherapy, innate immune modifiers and cancer vaccines, as well as combination therapies that exploit alternative immune targets and other therapeutic modalities. Finally, this review will include the stimulating insights from the 2020 China Immuno-Oncology Workshop co-organized by the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON), the China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) and Tsinghua University School of Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoming Zhu
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, DUMC 103861, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,The Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Hongtao Liu
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wenru Song
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,Kira Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Delong Liu
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA.,New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA. .,Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Chong-Xian Pan
- Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network, New York, NY, USA. .,Harvard Medical School, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA.
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21
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Abstract
Radiotherapy delivered using photons induces an immune response that leads to modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Clinical studies are ongoing to evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitors in association with photon radiotherapy. At present, there is no publication on the radio-induced immune response after proton therapy. Balb/c mice bearing subcutaneous CT26 colon tumors were irradiated by a single fraction of 16.4 Gy using a proton beam extracted from a TR24 cyclotron. RNA sequencing analysis was assessed at 3 days post-treatment. Proton therapy immune response was monitored by flow cytometry using several panels (lymphoid, myeloid cells, lymphoid cytokines) at 7 and 14 days post-irradiation. RNA-Seq functional profiling identified a large number of GO categories linked to “immune response” and “interferon signaling”. Immunomonitoring evaluation showed induced tumor infiltration by immune cells. This is the first study showing the effect of proton therapy on immune response. These interesting results provide a sound basis to assess the efficacy of a combination of proton therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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22
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Vaes RDW, Hendriks LEL, Vooijs M, De Ruysscher D. Biomarkers of Radiotherapy-Induced Immunogenic Cell Death. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040930. [PMID: 33920544 PMCID: PMC8073519 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) can induce an immunogenic variant of regulated cell death that can initiate clinically relevant tumor-targeting immune responses. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is accompanied by the exposure and release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), chemokine release, and stimulation of type I interferon (IFN-I) responses. In recent years, intensive research has unraveled major mechanistic aspects of RT-induced ICD and has resulted in the identification of immunogenic factors that are released by irradiated tumor cells. However, so far, only a limited number of studies have searched for potential biomarkers that can be used to predict if irradiated tumor cells undergo ICD that can elicit an effective immunogenic anti-tumor response. In this article, we summarize the available literature on potential biomarkers of RT-induced ICD that have been evaluated in cancer patients. Additionally, we discuss the clinical relevance of these findings and important aspects that should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne D. W. Vaes
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (M.V.); (D.D.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)43-388-1585
| | - Lizza E. L. Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Marc Vooijs
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (M.V.); (D.D.R.)
| | - Dirk De Ruysscher
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (M.V.); (D.D.R.)
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23
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Goff PH, Zeng J, Rengan R, Schaub SK. Radiation and Modulation of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Semin Radiat Oncol 2021; 31:133-139. [PMID: 33610270 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are approved for a variety of indications for locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and trials are ongoing in the early-stage setting. There is an unmet need to understand which patients may derive benefit from immunotherapies and how to harness combined modality therapies to improve overall response rates and durability. Here, we review studies from the bench-to-bedside to examine the role of radiation therapy (RT) on the tumor immune microenvironment in NSCLC with an eye toward augmenting antitumor immunity. Together, these data provide a foundation for developing future clinical trials harnessing RT to augment antitumor immunity and highlight the need for correlative translational studies to directly characterize the impact of RT on the human NSCLC tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Goff
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Seattle WA.
| | - Jing Zeng
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Seattle WA
| | - Ramesh Rengan
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Seattle WA
| | - Stephanie K Schaub
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Seattle WA
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24
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Abstract
Bladder cancer has been successfully treated with immunotherapy, whereas prostate cancer is a cold tumor with inadequate immune-related treatment response. A greater understanding of the tumor microenvironment and methods for harnessing the immune system to address tumor growth will be needed to improve immunotherapies for both prostate and bladder cancer. Here, we provide an overview of prostate and bladder cancer, including fundamental aspects of the disease and treatment, the elaborate cellular makeup of the tumor microenvironment, and methods for exploiting relevant pathways to develop more effective treatments.
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25
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Liao Y, Liu S, Fu S, Wu J. HMGB1 in Radiotherapy: A Two Headed Signal Regulating Tumor Radiosensitivity and Immunity. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6859-6871. [PMID: 32764978 PMCID: PMC7369309 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s253772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is a mainstay of cancer treatment. Recent studies have shown that RT not only directly induces cell death but also has late and sustained immune effects. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein released during RT, with location-dependent functions. It is essential for normal cellular function but also regulates the proliferation and migration of tumor cells by binding to high-affinity receptors. In this review, we summarize recent evidence on the functions of HMGB1 in RT according to the position, intracellular HMGB1 and extracellular HMGB1. Intracellular HMGB1 induces radiation tolerance in tumor cells by promoting DNA damage repair and autophagy. Extracellular HMGB1 plays a more intricate role in radiation-related immune responses, wherein it not only stimulates the anti-tumor immune response by facilitating the recognition of dying tumor cells but is also involved in maintaining immunosuppression. Factors that potentially affect the role of HMGB1 in RT-induced cytotoxicity have also been discussed in the context of possible therapeutic applications, which helps to develop effective and targeted radio-sensitization therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Liao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuya Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaozhi Fu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingbo Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
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26
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Applegate KE, Rühm W, Wojcik A, Bourguignon M, Brenner A, Hamasaki K, Imai T, Imaizumi M, Imaoka T, Kakinuma S, Kamada T, Nishimura N, Okonogi N, Ozasa K, Rübe CE, Sadakane A, Sakata R, Shimada Y, Yoshida K, Bouffler S. Individual response of humans to ionising radiation: governing factors and importance for radiological protection. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2020; 59:185-209. [PMID: 32146555 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-020-00837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue reactions and stochastic effects after exposure to ionising radiation are variable between individuals but the factors and mechanisms governing individual responses are not well understood. Individual responses can be measured at different levels of biological organization and using different endpoints following varying doses of radiation, including: cancers, non-cancer diseases and mortality in the whole organism; normal tissue reactions after exposures; and, cellular endpoints such as chromosomal damage and molecular alterations. There is no doubt that many factors influence the responses of people to radiation to different degrees. In addition to the obvious general factors of radiation quality, dose, dose rate and the tissue (sub)volume irradiated, recognized and potential determining factors include age, sex, life style (e.g., smoking, diet, possibly body mass index), environmental factors, genetics and epigenetics, stochastic distribution of cellular events, and systemic comorbidities such as diabetes or viral infections. Genetic factors are commonly thought to be a substantial contributor to individual response to radiation. Apart from a small number of rare monogenic diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia, the inheritance of an abnormally responsive phenotype among a population of healthy individuals does not follow a classical Mendelian inheritance pattern. Rather it is considered to be a multi-factorial, complex trait.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - A Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, MBW Department, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Bourguignon
- Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, University of Paris Saclay (UVSQ), Verseilles, France
| | - A Brenner
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - K Hamasaki
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - T Imai
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - M Imaizumi
- Department of Nagasaki Clinical Studies, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - T Imaoka
- Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - S Kakinuma
- Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - T Kamada
- QST Hospital, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - N Nishimura
- Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - N Okonogi
- QST Hospital, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - K Ozasa
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - C E Rübe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - A Sadakane
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - R Sakata
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Y Shimada
- National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Aomori, Japan
| | - K Yoshida
- Immunology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - S Bouffler
- Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilto, Didcot, UK
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27
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Sato H, Okonogi N, Nakano T. Rationale of combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Int J Clin Oncol 2020; 25:801-809. [PMID: 32246277 PMCID: PMC7192886 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-020-01666-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Significant technological advances in radiotherapy have been made in the past few decades. High-precision radiotherapy has recently become popular and is contributing to improvements in the local control of the irradiated target lesions and the reduction of adverse effects. Accordingly, for long-term survival, the importance of systemic cancer control, including at non-irradiated sites, is growing. Toward this challenge, the treatment methods in which anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies that exert systemic effects by restoring anti-tumour immunity are combined with radiotherapy has attracted attention in recent years. Previous studies have reported the activation of anti-tumour immunity by radiotherapy, which simultaneously elevates PD-L1 expression, suggesting a potential for combination therapy. Radiotherapy induces so-called ‘immunogenic cell death’, which involves cell surface translocation of calreticulin and extracellular release of high-mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB-1) and adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP). Furthermore, radiotherapy causes immune activation via MHC class I upregulation and cGAS–STING pathway. In contrast, induction of immunosuppressive lymphocytes and the release of immunosuppressive cytokines and chemokines by radiotherapy contribute to immunosuppressive reactions. In this article, we review immune responses induced by radiotherapy as well as previous reports to support the rationale of combination of radiotherapy and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. A number of preclinical and clinical studies have shown the efficacy of radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibition, hence combination therapy is considered to be an important future strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiro Sato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Noriyuki Okonogi
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakano
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
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28
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Repair characteristics and time-dependent effects in response to heavy-ion beam irradiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a comparison with X-ray irradiation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:4043-4057. [PMID: 32144474 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Heavy-ion beam (HIB) irradiation has been widely used in microbial mutation breeding. However, a global cellular response to such radiation remains mostly uncharacterised. In this study, we used transcriptomics to analyse the damage repair response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae following a semi-lethal HIB irradiation (80 Gy), which induced a significant number of DNA double-strand breaks. Our analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from 50 to 150 min post-irradiation revealed that upregulated genes were significantly enriched for gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes terms related to damage repair response. Based on the number of DEGs, their annotation, and their relative expression, we established that the peak of the damage repair response occurred 75 min post-irradiation. Moreover, we exploited the data from our recent study on X-ray irradiation-induced repair to compare the transcriptional patterns induced by semi-lethal HIB and X-ray irradiations. Although these two radiations have different properties, we found a significant overlap (> 50%) for the DEGs associated with five typical DNA repair pathways and, in both cases, identified homologous recombination repair (HRR) as the predominant repair pathway. Nevertheless, when we compared the relative enrichment of the five DNA repair pathways at the key time point of the repair process, we found that the relative enrichment of HRR was higher after HIB irradiation than after X-ray irradiation. Additionally, the peak stage of HRR following HIB irradiation was ahead of that following X-ray irradiation. Since mutations occur during the DNA repair process, uncovering detailed repair characteristics should further the understanding of the associated mutagenesis features.
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29
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Wernicke AG, Polce S, Parashar B. Role of Radiation in the Era of Effective Systemic Therapy for Melanoma. Surg Clin North Am 2020; 100:189-199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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30
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Mavragani IV, Nikitaki Z, Kalospyros SA, Georgakilas AG. Ionizing Radiation and Complex DNA Damage: From Prediction to Detection Challenges and Biological Significance. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1789. [PMID: 31739493 PMCID: PMC6895987 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological responses to ionizing radiation (IR) have been studied for many years, generally showing the dependence of these responses on the quality of radiation, i.e., the radiation particle type and energy, types of DNA damage, dose and dose rate, type of cells, etc. There is accumulating evidence on the pivotal role of complex (clustered) DNA damage towards the determination of the final biological or even clinical outcome after exposure to IR. In this review, we provide literature evidence about the significant role of damage clustering and advancements that have been made through the years in its detection and prediction using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. We conclude that in the future, emphasis should be given to a better understanding of the mechanistic links between the induction of complex DNA damage, its processing, and systemic effects at the organism level, like genomic instability and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexandros G. Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, Greece
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31
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Mortezaee K, Najafi M, Farhood B, Ahmadi A, Shabeeb D, Eleojo Musa A. Genomic Instability and Carcinogenesis of Heavy Charged Particles Radiation: Clinical and Environmental Implications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55090591. [PMID: 31540340 PMCID: PMC6780199 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the uses of ionizing radiation is in cancer treatment. The use of heavy charged particles for treatment has been introduced in recent decades because of their priority for deposition of radiation energy in the tumor, via the Bragg peak phenomenon. In addition to medical implications, exposure to heavy charged particles is a crucial issue for environmental and space radiobiology. Ionizing radiation is one of the most powerful clastogenic and carcinogenic agents. Studies have shown that although both low and high linear energy transfer (LET) radiations are carcinogenic, their risks are different. Molecular studies have also shown that although heavy charged particles mainly induce DNA damage directly, they may be more potent inducer of endogenous generation of free radicals compared to the low LET gamma or X-rays. It seems that the severity of genotoxicity for non-irradiated bystander cells is potentiated as the quality of radiation increases. However, this is not true in all situations. Evidence suggests the involvement of some mechanisms such as upregulation of pro-oxidant enzymes and change in the methylation of DNA in the development of genomic instability and carcinogenesis. This review aimed to report important issues for genotoxicity of carcinogenic effects of heavy charged particles. Furthermore, we tried to explain some mechanisms that may be involved in cancer development following exposure to heavy charged particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Masoud Najafi
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Departments of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan 8715988141, Iran.
| | - Amirhossein Ahmadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48175-861, Iran.
| | - Dheyauldeen Shabeeb
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Misan, Misan 62010, Iraq.
- Misan Radiotherapy Center, Misan Health Directorate, Ministry of Health Environment, Misan 62010, Iraq.
| | - Ahmed Eleojo Musa
- Department of Medical Physics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (International Campus), Tehran 1416753955, Iran.
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna 65, Nigeria.
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32
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Kong L, Gao J, Hu J, Lu R, Yang J, Qiu X, Hu W, Lu JJ. Carbon ion radiotherapy boost in the treatment of glioblastoma: a randomized phase I/III clinical trial. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2019; 39:5. [PMID: 30786916 PMCID: PMC6383247 DOI: 10.1186/s40880-019-0351-2] [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: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly virulent tumor of the central nervous system, with a median survival < 15 months. Clearly, an improvement in treatment outcomes is needed. However, the emergence of these malignancies within the delicate brain parenchyma and their infiltrative growth pattern severely limit the use of aggressive local therapies. The particle therapy represents a new promising therapeutic approach to circumvent these prohibitive conditions with improved treatment efficacy. Methods and design Patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas will have their tumor tissue samples submitted for the analysis of the status of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. In Phase I, the patients will undergo an induction carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) boost followed by 60 GyE of proton irradiation with concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) at 75 mg/m2. To determine the maximal dose of safe induction boost, the tolerance, and acute toxicity rates in a dose-escalation manner from 9 to 18 GyE in three fractions will be used. In Phase III, GBM-only patients will be randomized to receive either 60 GyE (2 GyE per fraction) of proton irradiation with concurrent TMZ (control arm) or a CIRT boost (dose determined in Phase I of this trial) followed by 60 GyE of proton irradiation with concurrent TMZ. The primary endpoints are overall survival (OS) and toxicity rates (acute and long-term). Secondary endpoints are progression-free survival (PFS), and tumor response (based upon assessment with C-methionine/fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine positron emission tomography [MET/FET PET] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and detection of serologic immune markers). We hypothesize that the induction CIRT boost will result in a greater initial tumor-killing ability and prime the tumor microenvironment for enhanced immunologic tumor clearance, resulting in an expected 33% improvement in OS rates. Discussion The prognosis of GBM remains grim. The mechanism underpinning the poor prognosis of this malignancy is its chronic state of tumor hypoxia, which promotes both immunosuppression/immunologic evasion and radio-resistance. The unique physical and biological properties of CIRT are expected to overcome these microenvironmental limitations to confer an improved tumor-killing ability and anti-tumor immune response, which could result in an improvement in OS with minimal toxicity. Trial registration number This trial has been registered with the China Clinical Trials Registry, and was allocated the number ChiCTR-OID-17013702.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Kong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Jiyi Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Rong Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Xianxin Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Weixu Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China
| | - Jiade J Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Pudong, 4365 Kangxin Road, Shanghai, 201321, P. R. China.
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33
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Carbon ion irradiation enhances the antitumor efficacy of dual immune checkpoint blockade therapy both for local and distant sites in murine osteosarcoma. Oncotarget 2019; 10:633-646. [PMID: 30774761 PMCID: PMC6363009 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon ion radiotherapy has been utilized even for X-ray resistant tumors. However, control of distant metastasis remains a major challenge in carbon ion irradiation. We investigated whether carbon ion irradiation combined with dual immune checkpoint blockade therapy (anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies [P1C4]) provides anti-tumor efficacy for both local and distant sites. A mouse osteosarcoma cell line (LM8) was inoculated into both hind legs of C3H mice assigned to four groups: no treatment (NoTX), P1C4, 5.3 Gy of carbon ion irradiation to one leg (Cion), and combination (Comb) groups. In the Comb group, tumor growth delay was observed not only in the irradiated tumors but also in the unirradiated tumors. Notably, a complete response of unirradiated tumors was observed in 64% of mice in the Comb group, while only 20% of mice in the P1C4 group showed a complete response. Significant activation of immune cells was observed in the Comb group, with an increase in CD8+/GzmB+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the irradiated tumor, and of CD8+/GzmB+ and CD4+ TILs in the unirradiated tumor, respectively. Depletion of CD8 abolished the tumor growth delay in unirradiated tumors in mice treated by Cion and P1C4. Overall survival was significantly prolonged in the Comb group. HMGB-1 release from irradiated tumors was significantly increased after Cion both in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that carbon ion therapy enhances P1C4 efficacy against osteosarcoma in both the primary tumor and distant metastases mediated by immune activation.
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de Andrade Carvalho H, Villar RC. Radiotherapy and immune response: the systemic effects of a local treatment. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018; 73:e557s. [PMID: 30540123 PMCID: PMC6257057 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e557s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological developments have allowed improvements in radiotherapy delivery, with higher precision and better sparing of normal tissue. For many years, it has been well known that ionizing radiation has not only local action but also systemic effects by triggering many molecular signaling pathways. There is still a lack of knowledge of this issue. This review focuses on the current literature about the effects of ionizing radiation on the immune system, either suppressing or stimulating the host reactions against the tumor, and the factors that interact with these responses, such as the radiation dose and dose / fraction effects in the tumor microenvironment and vasculature. In addition, some implications of these effects in cancer treatment, mainly in combined strategies, are addressed from the perspective of their interactions with the more advanced technology currently available, such as heavy ion therapy and nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heloisa de Andrade Carvalho
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Divisao de Radioterapia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Servico de Radioterapia, Centro de Oncologia, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Rosangela Correa Villar
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Divisao de Radioterapia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Servico de Radioterapia, Centro Infantil Boldrini, Campinas, SP, BR
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Onishi M, Okonogi N, Oike T, Yoshimoto Y, Sato H, Suzuki Y, Kamada T, Nakano T. High linear energy transfer carbon-ion irradiation increases the release of the immune mediator high mobility group box 1 from human cancer cells. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2018; 59:541-546. [PMID: 29947767 PMCID: PMC6151640 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rry049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Anti-tumor immunity modulates the local effects of radiation therapy. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) plays a pivotal role in activating antigen-specific T-cell responses. Here, we examined the relationship between linear energy transfer (LET) and HMGB1 release. We assessed the proportions of KYSE-70, HeLa and SiHa cells surviving after carbon-ion (C-ion) beam irradiation with different LET values, using a clonogenic assay. The D10, the dose at which 10% of cells survived, was calculated using a linear-quadratic model. HMGB1 levels in the culture supernatants of C-ion beam-irradiated tumor cells were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The D10 doses for 13 keV/μm of C-ion irradiation in KYSE-70, HeLa and SiHa cells were 2.8, 3.9 and 4.1 Gy, respectively, whereas those for 70 keV/μm C-ion irradiation were 1.4, 1.9 and 2.3 Gy, respectively. We found that 70 keV/μm of C-ion irradiation significantly increased HMGB1 levels in the culture supernatants of all cell lines 72 h after irradiation compared with non-irradiated controls. Furthermore, 70 keV/μm of C-ion irradiation significantly increased HMGB1 levels in the culture supernatants of all cell lines 72 h after irradiation compared with 13 keV/μm. The results suggest that HMGB1 release from several cancer cell lines increases with increased LET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Onishi
- Hospital of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi-City, Gunma, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Okonogi
- Hospital of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
- Corresponding author. Hospital of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan. Tel: +81-43-206-3306; Fax: +81-43-256-6506;
| | - Takahiro Oike
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi-City, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yuya Yoshimoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi-City, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hiro Sato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi-City, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suzuki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine,1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima-City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kamada
- Hospital of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi-City, Gunma, Japan
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Zhang P, Hu X, Liu B, Liu Z, Liu C, Cai J, Gao F, Cui J, Li B, Yang Y. Effects of 12C6+ Heavy Ion Radiation on Dendritic Cells Function. Med Sci Monit 2018. [PMID: 29525808 PMCID: PMC5859670 DOI: 10.12659/msm.906221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Carbon ion radiotherapy has been shown to be more effective in cancer radiotherapy than photon irradiation. Influence of carbon ion radiation on cancer microenvironment is very important for the outcomes of radiotherapy. Tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (DCs) play critical roles in cancer antigen processing and antitumor immunity. However, there is scant literature covering the effects of carbon ion radiation on DCs. In this study, we aimed to uncover the impact of carbon ion irradiation on bone marrow derived DCs. Material/Methods Bone marrow cells were co-cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 for seven days, and the population of DCs was confirmed with flow cytometry. We used an Annexin V and PI staining method to detect cell apoptosis. Endocytosis assay of DCs was determined by using a flow cytometry method. DCs migration capacity was tested by a Transwell method. We also used ELISA assay and western blotting assay to examine the cytokines and protein expression, respectively. Results Our data showed that carbon ion radiation induced apoptosis in both immature and mature DCs. After irradiation, the endocytosis and migration capacity of DCs was also impaired. Interestingly, carbon irradiation triggered a burst of IFN-γ and IL-12 in LPS or CpG treated DCs, which provide novel insights into the combination of immunotherapy and carbon ion radiotherapy. Finally, we found that carbon ion irradiation induced apoptosis and migration suppression was p38 dependent. Conclusions Our present study demonstrated that carbon ion irradiation induced apoptosis in DCs, and impaired DCs function mainly through the p38 signaling pathway. Carbon ion irradiation also triggered anti-tumor cytokines secretion. This work provides novel information of carbon ion radiotherapy in DCs, and also provides new insights on the combination of immune adjuvant and carbon ion radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Xuguang Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Bin Liu
- Medical Imaging Department of PLA 546 Hospital, Malan, Xinjiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Cong Liu
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Jianming Cai
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Fu Gao
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Jianguo Cui
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Bailong Li
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Yanyong Yang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
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37
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Wang Y, Deng W, Li N, Neri S, Sharma A, Jiang W, Lin SH. Combining Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy for Cancer Treatment: Current Challenges and Future Directions. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:185. [PMID: 29556198 PMCID: PMC5844965 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the approval of anti-CTLA4 therapy (ipilimumab) for late-stage melanoma in 2011, the development of anticancer immunotherapy agents has thrived. The success of many immune-checkpoint inhibitors has drastically changed the landscape of cancer treatment. For some types of cancer, monotherapy for targeting immune checkpoint pathways has proven more effective than traditional therapies, and combining immunotherapy with current treatment strategies may yield even better outcomes. Numerous preclinical studies have suggested that combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy could be a promising strategy for synergistic enhancement of treatment efficacy. Radiation delivered to the tumor site affects both tumor cells and surrounding stromal cells. Radiation-induced cancer cell damage exposes tumor-specific antigens that make them visible to immune surveillance and promotes the priming and activation of cytotoxic T cells. Radiation-induced modulation of the tumor microenvironment may also facilitate the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells. This unique relationship is the rationale for combining radiation with immune checkpoint blockade. Enhanced tumor recognition and immune cell targeting with checkpoint blockade may unleash the immune system to eliminate the cancer cells. However, challenges remain to be addressed to maximize the efficacy of this promising combination. Here we summarize the mechanisms of radiation and immune system interaction, and we discuss current challenges in radiation and immune checkpoint blockade therapy and possible future approaches to boost this combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Weiye Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shinya Neri
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Amrish Sharma
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steven H Lin
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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38
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Proceedings of the National Cancer Institute Workshop on Charged Particle Radiobiology. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2017; 100:816-831. [PMID: 29485053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.12.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In April 2016, the National Cancer Institute hosted a multidisciplinary workshop to discuss the current knowledge of the radiobiological aspects of charged particles used in cancer therapy to identify gaps in that knowledge that might hinder the effective clinical use of charged particles and to propose research that could help fill those gaps. The workshop was organized into 10 topics ranging from biophysical models to clinical trials and included treatment optimization, relative biological effectiveness of tumors and normal tissues, hypofractionation with particles, combination with immunotherapy, "omics," hypoxia, and particle-induced second malignancies. Given that the most commonly used charged particle in the clinic currently is protons, much of the discussion revolved around evaluating the state of knowledge and current practice of using a relative biological effectiveness of 1.1 for protons. Discussion also included the potential advantages of heavier ions, notably carbon ions, because of their increased biological effectiveness, especially for tumors frequently considered to be radiation resistant, increased effectiveness in hypoxic cells, and potential for differentially altering immune responses. The participants identified a large number of research areas in which information is needed to inform the most effective use of charged particles in the future in clinical radiation therapy. This unique form of radiation therapy holds great promise for improving cancer treatment.
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Ando K, Fujita H, Hosoi A, Ma L, Wakatsuki M, Seino KI, Kakimi K, Imai T, Shimokawa T, Nakano T. Intravenous dendritic cell administration enhances suppression of lung metastasis induced by carbon-ion irradiation. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2017; 58:446-455. [PMID: 28339788 PMCID: PMC5570007 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrx005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is an advanced radiotherapy and has achieved good local control, even in tumors that are resistant to conventional photon beam radiotherapy (PBRT). However, distant metastasis control is an important issue. Recently, the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy has attracted the attention. In immunotherapy, dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in the anti-tumor immune system. However, the mechanisms underlying the combination therapy of DCs and radiotherapy have been unclear. In the present study, we evaluated anti-metastatic effects of this combination therapy, focused on the irradiation type and the route of DC administration, using a mouse model. C3H/He mice bearing NR-S1 cells were treated with CIRT or PBRT, using biologically equivalent doses. Subsequently, DCs were administered intratumorally (IT) or intravenously (IV). IV and IT DC administrations combined with CIRT to the local tumor, but not alone, significantly suppressed pulmonary metastasis, whereas the combination of DCs with PBRT suppressed metastasis at a relatively higher dose. Additionally, the anti-metastatic effect was greater in IV DC administration compared with in IT DC administration in both CIRT and PBRT. The expression levels of CD40 and IL-12 in DCs were significantly increased after co-culturing with CIRT-treated NR-S1 cells. In addition, IV administration of those co-cultured DCs significantly suppressed pulmonary metastasis. Furthermore, ecto-calreticulin levels from CIRT-treated NR-S1 cells significantly increased compared with those of a PBRT-treated tumor. Taken together, these results suggest that local CIRT combined with IV DCs augments an immunogenicity of the tumor cells by ecto-calreticulin expression and the maturation of DCs to stimulate anti-tumor immunity to decrease lung metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Ando
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Fujita
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Akihiro Hosoi
- Department of Immunotherapeutic, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Liqiu Ma
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Masaru Wakatsuki
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Department of Radiology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1, Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Ken-ichiro Seino
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kakimi
- Department of Immunotherapeutic, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takashi Imai
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Shimokawa
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Corresponding author. Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan. Tel: +81-43-206-4048; Fax: +81-43-206- 6267;
| | - Takashi Nakano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
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40
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Diegeler S, Hellweg CE. Intercellular Communication of Tumor Cells and Immune Cells after Exposure to Different Ionizing Radiation Qualities. Front Immunol 2017. [PMID: 28638385 PMCID: PMC5461334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation can affect the immune system in many ways. Depending on the situation, the whole body or parts of the body can be acutely or chronically exposed to different radiation qualities. In tumor radiotherapy, a fractionated exposure of the tumor (and surrounding tissues) is applied to kill the tumor cells. Currently, mostly photons, and also electrons, neutrons, protons, and heavier particles such as carbon ions, are used in radiotherapy. Tumor elimination can be supported by an effective immune response. In recent years, much progress has been achieved in the understanding of basic interactions between the irradiated tumor and the immune system. Here, direct and indirect effects of radiation on immune cells have to be considered. Lymphocytes for example are known to be highly radiosensitive. One important factor in indirect interactions is the radiation-induced bystander effect which can be initiated in unexposed cells by expression of cytokines of the irradiated cells and by direct exchange of molecules via gap junctions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the indirect effects observed after exposure to different radiation qualities. The different immune cell populations important for the tumor immune response are natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells. In vitro and in vivo studies have revealed the modulation of their functions due to ionizing radiation exposure of tumor cells. After radiation exposure, cytokines are produced by exposed tumor and immune cells and a modulated expression profile has also been observed in bystander immune cells. Release of damage-associated molecular patterns by irradiated tumor cells is another factor in immune activation. In conclusion, both immune-activating and -suppressing effects can occur. Enhancing or inhibiting these effects, respectively, could contribute to modified tumor cell killing after radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Diegeler
- Division of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Köln, Germany
| | - Christine E Hellweg
- Division of Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Köln, Germany
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41
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Fernandez-Gonzalo R, Baatout S, Moreels M. Impact of Particle Irradiation on the Immune System: From the Clinic to Mars. Front Immunol 2017; 8:177. [PMID: 28275377 PMCID: PMC5319970 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the generalized use of photon-based radiation (i.e., gamma rays and X-rays) to treat different cancer types, particle radiotherapy (i.e., protons and carbon ions) is becoming a popular, and more effective tool to treat specific tumors due to the improved physical properties and biological effectiveness. Current scientific evidence indicates that conventional radiation therapy affects the tumor immunological profile in a particular manner, which in turn, might induce beneficial effects both at local and systemic (i.e., abscopal effects) levels. The interaction between radiotherapy and the immune system is being explored to combine immune and radiation (including particles) treatments, which in many cases have a greater clinical effect than any of the therapies alone. Contrary to localized, clinical irradiation, astronauts are exposed to whole body, chronic cosmic radiation, where protons and heavy ions are an important component. The effects of this extreme environment during long periods of time, e.g., a potential mission to Mars, will have an impact on the immune system that could jeopardize the health of the astronauts, hence the success of the mission. To this background, the purpose of this mini review is to briefly present the current knowledge in local and systemic immune alterations triggered by particle irradiation and to propose new lines of future research. Immune effects induced by particle radiation relevant to clinical applications will be covered, together with examples of combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Then, the focus will move to outer space, where the immune system alterations induced by cosmic radiation during spaceflight will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo
- Radiobiology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK-CEN , Mol , Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK-CEN , Mol , Belgium
| | - Marjan Moreels
- Radiobiology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK-CEN , Mol , Belgium
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42
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Shimokawa T, Ma L, Ando K, Sato K, Imai T. The Future of Combining Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy with Immunotherapy: Evidence and Progress in Mouse Models. Int J Part Ther 2016; 3:61-70. [PMID: 31772976 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-15-00023.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
After >60 years since the first treatment, particle radiation therapy (RT) is now used to treat various types of tumors worldwide. Particle RT results in favorable outcomes, especially in local control, because of its biological properties and excellent dose distribution. However, similar to other types of cancer treatment, metastasis control is a crucial issue. Notably, immunotherapy is used for cancer treatment with high risk for recurrence and/or metastasis. These 2 cancer therapies could be ideal, complementary partners for noninvasive cancer treatment. In this review, we will focus on preclinical studies combining particle RT, especially carbon ion RT, and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Shimokawa
- Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Liqiu Ma
- Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ken Ando
- Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Sato
- Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan.,Cancer Metastasis Research Team, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Imai
- Advanced Radiation Biology Research Program, Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
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43
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Oike T, Sato H, Noda SE, Nakano T. Translational Research to Improve the Efficacy of Carbon Ion Radiotherapy: Experience of Gunma University. Front Oncol 2016; 6:139. [PMID: 27376029 PMCID: PMC4899433 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon ion radiotherapy holds great promise for cancer therapy. Clinical data show that carbon ion radiotherapy is an effective treatment for tumors that are resistant to X-ray radiotherapy. Since 1994 in Japan, the National Institute of Radiological Sciences has been heading the development of carbon ion radiotherapy using the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba. The Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center (GHMC) was established in the year 2006 as a proof-of-principle institute for carbon ion radiotherapy with a view to facilitating the worldwide spread of compact accelerator systems. Along with the management of more than 1900 cancer patients to date, GHMC engages in translational research to improve the treatment efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy. Research aimed at guiding patient selection is of utmost importance for making the most of carbon ion radiotherapy, which is an extremely limited medical resource. Intratumoral oxygen levels, radiation-induced cellular apoptosis, the capacity to repair DNA double-strand breaks, and the mutational status of tumor protein p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor genes are all associated with X-ray sensitivity. Assays for these factors are useful in the identification of X-ray-resistant tumors for which carbon ion radiotherapy would be beneficial. Research aimed at optimizing treatments based on carbon ion radiotherapy is also important. This includes assessment of dose fractionation, normal tissue toxicity, tumor cell motility, and bystander effects. Furthermore, the efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy will likely be enhanced by research into combined treatment with other modalities such as chemotherapy. Several clinically available chemotherapeutic drugs (carboplatin, paclitaxel, and etoposide) and drugs at the developmental stage (Wee-1 and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors) show a sensitizing effect on tumor cells treated with carbon ions. Additionally, the efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy can be improved by combining it with cancer immunotherapy. Clinical validation of preclinical findings is necessary to further improve the treatment efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Oike
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine , Gunma , Japan
| | - Hiro Sato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine , Gunma , Japan
| | - Shin-Ei Noda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine , Gunma , Japan
| | - Takashi Nakano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan; Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma, Japan
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Held KD, Kawamura H, Kaminuma T, Paz AES, Yoshida Y, Liu Q, Willers H, Takahashi A. Effects of Charged Particles on Human Tumor Cells. Front Oncol 2016; 6:23. [PMID: 26904502 PMCID: PMC4751258 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of charged particle therapy in cancer treatment is growing rapidly, in large part because the exquisite dose localization of charged particles allows for higher radiation doses to be given to tumor tissue while normal tissues are exposed to lower doses and decreased volumes of normal tissues are irradiated. In addition, charged particles heavier than protons have substantial potential clinical advantages because of their additional biological effects, including greater cell killing effectiveness, decreased radiation resistance of hypoxic cells in tumors, and reduced cell cycle dependence of radiation response. These biological advantages depend on many factors, such as endpoint, cell or tissue type, dose, dose rate or fractionation, charged particle type and energy, and oxygen concentration. This review summarizes the unique biological advantages of charged particle therapy and highlights recent research and areas of particular research needs, such as quantification of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for various tumor types and radiation qualities, role of genetic background of tumor cells in determining response to charged particles, sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells to charged particles, role of charged particles in tumors with hypoxic fractions, and importance of fractionation, including use of hypofractionation, with charged particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn D Held
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Hidemasa Kawamura
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma, Japan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | - Takuya Kaminuma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma, Japan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan
| | | | - Yukari Yoshida
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center , Gunma , Japan
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Henning Willers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
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Yoshimoto Y, Kono K, Suzuki Y. ANTI-TUMOR IMMUNE RESPONSES INDUCED BY RADIOTHERAPY: A REVIEW. Fukushima J Med Sci 2015; 61:13-22. [PMID: 26135666 DOI: 10.5387/fms.2015-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
An anti-tumor immune response is one of the most important factors that can determine treatment response and prognosis of cancer patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that radiotherapy can activate tumor-specific immune responses and that these responses contribute to the therapeutic efficacy. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the radiation-induced immune responses remain unclear. Better understanding of the mechanisms could facilitate the application of immune-activating radiotherapy and provide new treatment strategies. We previously demonstrated that tumor-specific T cell responses could be induced in esophageal cancer patients during and after chemoradiotherapy. Furthermore, in a mouse model, immune responses played an important role in determining the local and systemic therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy that could be augmented by the immune checkpoint blockade. In this review, radiotherapy-induced immune responses, the mechanisms underlying the induction of those responses, and a practical application of the therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Yoshimoto
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet
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