Regulatory T Cells Shape the Differential Impact of Radiation Dose-Fractionation Schedules on Host Innate and Adaptive Antitumor Immune Defenses

Purpose: We examined how radiation dose per fraction (DPF) and total dose, as represented by biological effective dose (BED), can independently and differentially affect the immunomodulatory capacity of radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials: AT3-OVA mammary and MC38 colorectal tumors in C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with rationally selected dose-fractionation schedules, alone or with immune-modulating or-depleting agents. Tumor growth was monitored as a readout of therapeutic response. Flow cytometry and RNA sequencing of mouse tumors and analysis of transcriptomic data sets from irradiated human cancers were used to examine the immunomodulatory effects of the different radiation schedules. Results: In AT3-OVA tumors, radiation DPF rather than BED determined the ability of RT to evoke local antitumor CD8(+) T cell responses and synergize with anti-PD-1 therapy. Natural killer cell-mediated control of irradiated tumors was more sensitive to radiation BED. Radiation-induced regulatory T cell (Treg) responses, which were detected in both mouse and human tumors, were a major factor underlying the differential activation of adaptive immunity by radiation DPF and the activity of natural killer cells during the early phase of response to RT. Targeted inhibition of Treg responses within irradiated tumors rescued and enhanced local tumor control by RT and permitted the generation of abscopal and immunologic memory responses, irrespective of radiation schedule. MC38 tumors did not support the induction of an amplified Treg response to RT and were highly vulnerable to its immunoadjuvant effects. Conclusions: Local radiation-induced Treg responses are influenced by radiation schedule and tumor type and are a critical determinant of the immunoadjuvant potential of RT and its ability to synergize with T cell-targeted immunotherapy. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

The study revealed that radiation dose per fraction and total dose can independently and differentially affect the immunomodulatory capacity of radiation therapy. Radiation dose per fraction had a greater impact on inducing local antitumor T cell responses, while total dose was more influential on natural killer cell-mediated control of irradiated tumors.