The 6th R of Radiobiology: Reactivation of Anti-Tumor Immune Response.

Fiche publication


Date publication

juin 2019

Journal

Cancers

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Dr MIRJOLET Céline, Dr BOUSTANI Jihane


Tous les auteurs :
Boustani J, Grapin M, Laurent PA, Apetoh L, Mirjolet C

Résumé

Historically, the 4Rs and then the 5Rs of radiobiology explained the effect of radiation therapy (RT) fractionation on the treatment efficacy. These 5Rs are: Repair, Redistribution, Reoxygenation, Repopulation and, more recently, intrinsic Radiosensitivity. Advances in radiobiology have demonstrated that RT is able to modify the tumor micro environment (TME) and to induce a local and systemic (abscopal effect) immune response. Conversely, RT is able to increase some immunosuppressive barriers, which can lead to tumor radioresistance. Fractionation and dose can affect the immunomodulatory properties of RT. Here, we review how fractionation, dose and timing shape the RT-induced anti-tumor immune response and the therapeutic effect of RT. We discuss how immunomodulators targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors and the cGAS/STING (cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase/Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway can be successfully combined with RT. We then review current trials evaluating the RT/Immunotherapy combination efficacy and suggest new innovative associations of RT with immunotherapies currently used in clinic or in development with strategic schedule administration (fractionation, dose, and timing) to reverse immune-related radioresistance. Overall, our work will present the existing evidence supporting the claim that the reactivation of the anti-tumor immune response can be regarded as the 6th R of Radiobiology.

Mots clés

immune response, radiotherapy fractionation, radiotherapy-immunotherapy association

Référence

Cancers (Basel). 2019 Jun 20;11(6):