The role of T cells in tumor radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy and gastrointestinal adverse events

Abstract

A combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy can be useful as an emergent strategy for cancer treatment; however, it has severe adverse effects on normal tissues and hampers their development. Gastrointestinal toxicity, which involves the participation of multiple immune cells, is commonly reported among immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Here, we described the clinical application of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy and the gastrointestinal irAEs (GI irAEs) associated with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. We further discussed the plausible underlying mechanism of adaptive immune cells in a combinatorial treatment of radiotherapy and immunotherapy as well as its GI irAEs to explore new perspectives for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of GI irAEs and treatment strategies.

Keywords

• radiotherapy
• immune checkpoints
• immunotherapy
• iraes