Open AccessThe abscopal effect of radiation therapy
Author(s) -
Daniel J. Craig,
Nisha S. Nanavaty,
Monika Devanaboyina,
Laura Stanbery,
Danae Hamouda,
Gerald M. Edelman,
Lance D. Dworkin,
John Nemunaitis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
future oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.857
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1744-8301
pISSN - 1479-6694
DOI - 10.2217/fon-2020-0994
Subject(s) - abscopal effect , medicine , cytotoxic t cell , cancer research , radiation therapy , immune system , bystander effect , immunotherapy , immunology , antigen presentation , dna damage , t cell , biology , dna , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Radiation therapy (RT) in some cases results in a systemic anticancer response known as the abscopal effect. Multiple hypotheses support the role of immune activation initiated by RT-induced DNA damage. Optimal radiation dose is necessary to promote the cGAS-STING pathway in response to radiation and initiate an IFN-1 signaling cascade that promotes the maturation and migration of dendritic cells to facilitate antigen presentation and stimulation of cytotoxic T cells. T cells then exert a targeted response throughout the body at areas not subjected to RT. These effects are further augmented through the use of immunotherapeutic drugs resulting in increased T-cell activity. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte presence and TREX1, KPNA2 and p53 signal expression are being explored as prognostic biomarkers.