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Yu B, Gao Y, Li J, Gao F, Zhang J, Li L, Feng X, Zuo D, Jin X, Chen W, Li Q. Killing two birds with one stone: Abscopal effect mechanism and its application prospect in radiotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104325. [PMID: 38462151 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104325] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Abscopal effects are characterized by the emergence of neoplasms in regions unrelated to the primary radiation therapy site, displaying a gradual attenuation or regression throughout the progression of radiation therapy, which have been of interest to scientists since Mole's proposal in 1953. The incidence of abscopal effects in radiation therapy is intricately linked to the immune system, with both innate and adaptive immune responses playing crucial roles. Biological factors impacting abscopal effects ultimately exert their influence on the intricate workings of the immune system. Although abscopal effects are rarely observed in clinical cases, the underlying mechanism remains uncertain. This article examines the biological and physical factors influencing abscopal effects of radiotherapy. Through a review of preclinical and clinical studies, this article aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of abscopal effects and proposes new avenues for future research in this field. The findings presented in this article serve as a valuable reference for researchers seeking to explore this topic in greater depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyi Yu
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuting Gao
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feifei Gao
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China
| | - Linjing Li
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xianglong Feng
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dashan Zuo
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaodong Jin
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Qiang Li
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Research on Heavy Ion Radiation Application in Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Pangal DJ, Yarovinsky B, Cardinal T, Cote DJ, Ruzevick J, Attenello FJ, Chang EL, Ye J, Neman J, Chow F, Zada G. The abscopal effect: systematic review in patients with brain and spine metastases. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac132. [PMID: 36199973 PMCID: PMC9529003 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The abscopal effect is a rare phenomenon whereby local radiation induces a proposed immune-mediated anti-tumor effect at distant sites. Given the growing use of immunotherapies and systemic immune checkpoint inhibitors in neuro-oncologic practice, we aimed to review prior studies pertaining to this phenomenon in the context of tumor shrinkage both within the central nervous system as well as distant disease sites. Methods A systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines was conducted to identify all studies which assessed the abscopal effect in patients with treated metastatic cancer to the brain and/or spine. Articles were included if they reported the abscopal effect in patients (case studies) or if the abscopal effect was explicitly analyzed in case series with cohorts of patients with metastatic brain or spine tumors. Laboratory investigations and clinical trials investigating new therapies were excluded. Results Twenty reports met inclusion criteria [16 case reports, 4 case series (n = 160), total n = 174]. Case reports of the abscopal effect were in relation to the following cancers: melanoma (6 patients), breast cancer (3), lung adenocarcinoma (2), non-small-cell lung cancer (2), hepatocellular carcinoma (1), and renal cell carcinoma (1). Eleven patients had irradiation to the brain and 2 to the spine. Patients undergoing whole brain radiotherapy (6) had an average dose of 33.6 Gy over 8-15 fractions, and those undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (5) had an average dose of 21.5 Gy over 1-5 fractions. One patient had radiation to the body and an intracranial abscopal effect was observed. Most common sites of extracranial tumor reduction were lung and lymph nodes. Ten case studies (57%) showed complete resolution of extra-CNS tumor burden. Median progression-free survival was 13 months following radiation. Four papers investigated incidence of abscopal effects in patients with metastatic melanoma to the brain who received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (n = 160); two papers found an abscopal effect in 35% and 52% of patients (n = 16, 21 respectively), and two papers found no evidence of abscopal effects (n = 61, 62). Conclusions Abscopal effects can occur following radiotherapy in patients with brain or spine metastases and is thought to be a result of increased anti-tumor immunity. The potential for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy to be used in combination with radiotherapy to induce an abscopal effect is an area of active investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj J Pangal
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Benjamin Yarovinsky
- Corresponding Author: Dhiraj J. Pangal, BS, USC Department of Neurosurgery, 1200 N State Street, Suite 3300, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA ()
| | - Tyler Cardinal
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David J Cote
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jacob Ruzevick
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Frank J Attenello
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eric L Chang
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Radiation Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jason Ye
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Radiation Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Josh Neman
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Frances Chow
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gabriel Zada
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Yamaguchi T, Fushida S, Kinoshita J, Saito H, Shimada M, Terai S, Moriyama H, Okamoto K, Nakamura K, Ninomiya I, Inaki N. A case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction with abscopal effect after nivolumab administration. Surg Case Rep 2021; 7:253. [PMID: 34882298 PMCID: PMC8660946 DOI: 10.1186/s40792-021-01336-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The abscopal effect is a rare phenomenon in which local irradiation causes tumor regression outside the irradiated area. There have been no reports of abscopal effect in patients with gastrointestinal melanoma with metastasis. Here, we report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction with abscopal effect after long-term treatment with nivolumab. CASE PRESENTATION A 75-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a gastroesophageal lesion. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a raised lesion on the posterior wall of the greater curvature of the cardia and tenderness in the lower esophagus. Immunostaining of the tumor biopsy showed positive staining for Melan-A, human melanoma black-45 (HMB45), and S-100, indicating malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a mildly stained lesion protruding into the cardiac part of stomach and enlarged surrounding lymph nodes. The patient was diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction and proximal gastrectomy with lower esophagus resection was performed. Histological examination showed large, round tumor cells with nuclear atypia. Immunostaining was positive for Melan A, HMB45, S-100 protein, and SRY-box transcription factor 10, and the final diagnosis was malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction, with regional lymph node metastases. Three months after surgery, follow-up CT indicated left pleural metastasis; therefore, the patient was administered nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Following three courses of nivolumab, the patient exhibited grade 3 renal dysfunction (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0). After that, we have not administered nivolumab treatment. Five months after the development of renal dysfunction, a CT scan demonstrated an unstained nodule within the pancreatic, and the patient was diagnosed with pancreatic metastasis; intensity-modulated radiotherapy was performed. Six months later, CT revealed pancreatic nodule and pleural metastasis was shrunk; after an additional 2 months, pleural metastasis and effusion had disappeared. The patient is alive with no additional lesions. CONCLUSIONS We report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction with an abscopal effect following nivolumab treatment. The findings of this case report suggest that ICIs in combination with radiotherapy may be effective for treating metastatic or recurrent malignant melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahisa Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan.
| | - Sachio Fushida
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Jun Kinoshita
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroto Saito
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Mari Shimada
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Shiro Terai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hideki Moriyama
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Koichi Okamoto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Keishi Nakamura
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Itasu Ninomiya
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Inaki
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan
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Link B, Torres Crigna A, Hölzel M, Giordano FA, Golubnitschaja O. Abscopal Effects in Metastatic Cancer: Is a Predictive Approach Possible to Improve Individual Outcomes? J Clin Med 2021; 10:5124. [PMID: 34768644 PMCID: PMC8584726 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10215124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with metastatic cancers often require radiotherapy (RT) as a palliative therapy for cancer pain. RT can, however, also induce systemic antitumor effects outside of the irradiated field (abscopal effects) in various cancer entities. The occurrence of the abscopal effect is associated with a specific immunological activation in response to RT-induced cell death, which is mainly seen under concomitant immune checkpoint blockade. Even if the number of reported apscopal effects has increased since the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibition, its occurrence is still considered rare and unpredictable. The cases reported so far may nevertheless allow for identifying first biomarkers and clinical patterns. We here review biomarkers that may be helpful to predict the occurrence of abscopal effects and hence to optimize therapy for patients with metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Link
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.L.); (A.T.C.); (F.A.G.)
| | - Adriana Torres Crigna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.L.); (A.T.C.); (F.A.G.)
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Frank A. Giordano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.L.); (A.T.C.); (F.A.G.)
| | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Zhang YS, Zhang YH, Li XJ, Hu TC, Chen WZ, Pan X, Chai HY, Ye YC. Bystander effect and abscopal effect in recurrent thymic carcinoma treated with carbon-ion radiation therapy: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:6538-6543. [PMID: 34435023 PMCID: PMC8362568 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i22.6538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the bystander effect and abscopal effect are familiar in medicine, they are relatively rare in clinical practice. Herein, we report the case of a patient who demonstrated an obvious bystander effect and abscopal effect response following carbon-ion irradiation for recurrent thymic carcinoma.
CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old female presented with shortness of breath. Eleven years prior, she was diagnosed with athymic tumor located in the anterosuperior mediastinum. She underwent extensive tumor resection, and the postoperative pathologic diagnosis was thymic carcinoma. She was administered 50 Gy/25 Fx of postoperative radiation. In 2019, she was diagnosed with a recurrence of thymic carcinoma, with multiple recurrent nodules and masses in the left thoracic chest and peritoneal cavity, the largest of which was in the diaphragm pleura proximal to the pericardium, with a size of 6.7 cm × 5.3 cm × 4.8 cm. She received carbon-ion radiotherapy. After carbon-ion radiotherapy treatment, the treated masses and the untreated masses were observed to have noticeably shrunk on the day of carbon-ion radiotherapy completion and on follow-up imaging. We followed the CARE Guidelines for consensus-based clinical case reporting guideline development and completed the CARE Checklist of information to report this case.
CONCLUSION This report is the first of obvious abscopal and bystander effects following carbon-ion irradiation in a human patient, and further research is needed to better elucidate the mechanisms of bystander and abscopal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Shan Zhang
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Yi-He Zhang
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Li
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Ting-Chao Hu
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Wei-Zuo Chen
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Hong-Yu Chai
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Yan-Cheng Ye
- Department of Heavy Ion Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital, Wuwei 733000, Gansu Province, China
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Cristaudo A, Malorgio A, Medoro S, Stefanelli A. Systemic therapy augmented by radiotherapy (STAR) effect for brain metastases in a BRAF-mutated melanoma patient with prolonged survival: a case report. Radiat Oncol J 2021; 39:78-81. [PMID: 33794577 PMCID: PMC8024180 DOI: 10.3857/roj.2020.00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases are common in stage IV malignant melanoma, carrying a prognosis traditionally regarded as severe, with a median survival of few months. Recently introduced systemic therapies as targeted therapy or immunotherapy have significantly improved the prognosis of metastatic melanoma. The optimal association of radiotherapy to such novel treatments has to be clarified. We report on a 43-year-old woman with 10 brain metastases. Three of them were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with complete response even of the untreated lesions. As the patient was BRAF-mutated, she was started on dabrafenib/trametinib. After 8 months she developed new brain metastases, which again responded to a new treatment with SRS. As after 7 months additional lesions appeared, she was treated with whole brain radiotherapy and was started on nivolumab. Twenty months after the first diagnosis of brain metastases the patient is fit without significant clinical and radiological signs of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Cristaudo
- Department of Radiotherapy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Malorgio
- Department of Radiotherapy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Serena Medoro
- Department of Radiotherapy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Stefanelli
- Department of Radiotherapy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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D'Andrea MA, Reddy GK. Brain Radiation Induced Extracranial Abscopal Effects in Metastatic Melanoma. Am J Clin Oncol 2021; 43:836-845. [PMID: 33044231 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Historically, the brain has been viewed as a specialized neurovascular inert organ with a distinctive immune privilege. Therefore, radiation-induced extracranial abscopal effects would be considered an unusual phenomenon due to the difficulty of the immunogenic signaling molecules to travel across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, it is now possible that localized central nervous system radiation has the ability to disrupt the structural integrity of the BBB and increase its endothelial permeability allowing the free passage of immunogenic responses between the intracranial and extracranial compartments. Thus, the nascent tumor-associated antigens produced by localized brain radiation can travel across the BBB into the rest of the body to modulate the immune system and induce extracranial abscopal effects. In clinical practice, localized brain radiation therapy-induced extracranial abscopal effects are a rarely seen phenomenon in metastatic melanoma and other advanced cancers. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the current state of knowledge and clinical experience of central nervous system radiation-induced extracranial abscopal effects in patients with malignant melanoma. Emerging data from a small number of case reports and cohort studies of various malignancies has significantly altered our earlier understanding of this process by revealing that the brain is neither isolated nor passive in its interactions with the body's immune system. In addition, these studies provide clinical evidence that the brain is capable of interacting actively with the extracranial peripheral immune system. Thus, localized radiation treatment to 1 or more locations of brain metastases can induce extracranial abscopal responses. Collectively, these findings clearly demonstrate that localized brain radiation therapy-induced abscopal effects traverses the BBB and trigger tumor regression in the nonirradiated extracranial locations.
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Razavi A, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Pawelek J, Rezaei N. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for melanoma. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:209-223. [PMID: 33481629 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1880895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a cancer treatment. After initial therapeutic success for hematologic malignancies, this approach has been extended for the treatment of solid tumors including melanoma. AREAS COVERED T cells need to be reprogramed to recognize specific antigens expressed only in tumor cells, a difficult problem since cancer cells are simply transformed normal cells. Tumor antigens, namely, CSPG4, CD70, and GD2 have been targeted by CAR-T cells for melanoma. Moreover, different co-stimulatory signaling domains need to be selected to direct T cell fate. In this review, various approaches for the treatment of melanoma and their effectiveness are comprehensively reviewed and the current status, challenges, and future perspective of CAR-T cell therapy for melanoma are discussed. Literature search was accomplished in three databases (PubMed, Google scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov). Published papers and clinical trials were screened and relevant documents were included by checking pre-defined eligibility criteria. EXPERT OPINION Despite obstacles and the risk of adverse events, CAR T cell therapy could be used for patients with treatment-resistant cancer. Clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy of this approach for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadehsadat Razavi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology Sciences, University of Kharazmi, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - John Pawelek
- Department of Dermatology and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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Moyers JT, Chong EG, Peng J, Tsai HHC, Sufficool D, Shavlik D, Nagaraj G. Real world outcomes of combination and timing of immunotherapy with radiotherapy for melanoma with brain metastases. Cancer Med 2021; 10:1201-1211. [PMID: 33484100 PMCID: PMC7926022 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immunotherapy (IT) and radiotherapy (RT) have improved overall survival in patients with melanoma with brain metastasis (MBM). We examined the real‐world survival impact of IT and RT combination and timing strategies. Materials and Methods From the facility‐based National Cancer Database (NCDB) data set, 3008 cases of MBM were identified between 2011 and 2015. Six treatment cohorts were identified: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) + IT, SRS alone, whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) + IT, WBRT alone, IT alone, and none. Concurrent therapy was defined as IT given within 28 days before or after RT; nonconcurrent defined as IT administered within 28–90 days of RT. The co‐primary outcomes were propensity score‐adjusted overall survival by treatment regimen and overall survival by RT and IT timing. Results Median overall survival (mOS) was performed for each treatment category; SRS +IT 15.77 m; (95%CI 12.13–21.29), SRS alone (9.33 m; 95%CI: 8.0–11.3), IT alone (7.29 m; 95%CI: 5.35–12.91), WBRT +IT (4.89 m; 95%CI: 3.65–5.92), No RT or IT (3.29 m; 95%CI: 2.96–3.75), and WBRT alone (3.12 m; 95%CI 2.79–3.52). By propensity score matching, mOS for SRS +IT (15.5 m; 95%CI: 11.5–20.2) was greater than SRS alone (10.1 m; 95%CI: 8.4–11.8) (p = 0.010), and median survival for WBRT +IT (4.6 m; 95%CI: 3.4–5.6) was greater than WBRT alone (2.9 m; 95%CI: 2.5–3.5) (p < 0.001). In the SRS +IT group, 24‐month landmark survival was 47% (95%CI; 42–52) for concurrent versus 37% (95%CI; 30–44) for nonconcurrent (p = 0.40). Conclusion Those who received IT in addition to WBRT and SRS experienced longer survival compared to RT modalities alone, while those receiving concurrent SRS and IT trended toward improved survival versus nonconcurrent therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Moyers
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Esther G Chong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Jiahao Peng
- School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | | | - Daniel Sufficool
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - David Shavlik
- School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Gayathri Nagaraj
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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Immunostimulatory Effects of Radiotherapy for Local and Systemic Control of Melanoma: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239324. [PMID: 33297519 PMCID: PMC7730562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, modern therapies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, and oncolytic virus have been developed. Because of the limited treatment effect of modern therapy alone, the immunostimulatory effect of radiotherapy attracted increasing attention. The combined use of radiotherapy and modern therapy has been examined clinically and non-clinically, and its effectiveness has been confirmed recently. Because melanomas have high immunogenicity, better therapeutic outcomes are desired when using immunotherapy. However, sufficient therapeutic effects have not yet been achieved. Thus far, radiotherapy has been used only for local control of tumors. Although extremely rare, radiotherapy has also been reported for systemic control, i.e., abscopal effect. This is thought to be due to an antitumor immune response. Therefore, we herein summarize past information on not only the mechanism of immune effects on radiotherapy but also biomarkers reported in case reports on abscopal effects. We also reviewed the animal model suitable for evaluating abscopal effects. These results pave the way for further basic research or clinical studies on new treatment methods for melanoma. Currently, palliative radiation is administered to patients with metastatic melanoma for local control. If it is feasible to provide both systemic and local control, the treatment benefit for the patients is very large.
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