Using Radiation Therapy to Prime and Propagate an Anti-tumor Immune Response Against Brain Tumors

Immunotherapies have demonstrated efficacy and survival benefits in some patients suffering from brain tumors; however, most do not respond and new approaches to enhance anti-tumor immunotherapeutic responses in the brain are needed. Radiotherapy remains a commonly used cancer treatment modality and can augment immunotherapeutic responses through multiple mechanisms. Recent preclinical studies may provide insight on how to optimally combine radiation and immunotherapies to maximize treatment efficacy. Unique aspects of the brain tumor microenvironment may play a critical role in limiting the successful application of immunotherapies in this location. Emerging studies suggest that such limits may be redressed through combination of immunotherapies with radiation therapy. In these settings, the latter may play a critical role in immunomodulating both tumor cells and the radiated brain tumor microenvironment. This review analyzes recent developments in combining radiation and immunotherapies to prime and better propagate anti-tumor immune response against brain tumors.

Automated summary

Immunotherapies have shown efficacy in treating brain tumors, but new approaches are needed to enhance responses in the brain. Combining radiation and immunotherapies may be an effective strategy to prime and propagate anti-tumor immune response against brain tumors.