Sakai A, Ebisumoto K, Iijima H, Yamauchi M, Maki D, Fukuzawa T, Okami K. Abscopal effect in maxillary sinus cancer: Insights from two case reports and a literature review.
Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024;
7:e1994. [PMID:
38351554 PMCID:
PMC10864721 DOI:
10.1002/cnr2.1994]
[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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The abscopal effect is a rare phenomenon in which localized radiation therapy triggers tumor reduction in nontargeted areas. Although this phenomenon has been observed in various cancer types, it remains infrequent and not fully understood.
CASE
Two patients with maxillary sinus cancer with distant metastases were treated with radiotherapy after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The patients demonstrated abscopal effects following ICI therapy and radiotherapy, showing shrinkage in metastatic areas not directly targeted by radiation.
CONCLUSION
This report was reviewed to examine the synergistic effects of ICI and radiotherapy and to identify optimal strategies to enhance the abscopal effect in clinical practice. It has also touched on various ongoing debates and clinical trials aimed at understanding and exploiting this effect to improve cancer treatment. The exact mechanisms and optimal treatment protocols remain areas for future research.
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