Potential role of radiation therapy in augmenting the activity of immunotherapy for gynecologic cancers

Abstract

Christina H Son,1 Gini F Fleming,2 John W Moroney3 1Department of Radiation & Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Medicine, 2Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, 3Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become an area of intense interest in oncology and are actively being studied in a variety of cancer types with a wide range of success. In vitro data suggest mechanisms by which radiation can activate the immune system, and ongoing studies are exploring the potential interaction of checkpoint inhibitors with radiotherapy in both preclinical and clinical settings. Gynecologic malignancies are a heterogeneous group of tumors with varying prognoses, intrinsic immunogenicity, and potential for response to immune-based therapies. In this review, we focus on the rationale for immunotherapy and opportunities for augmentation by photon radiotherapy in cancers of the cervix, endometrium, and ovary. Keywords: immunotherapy, gynecologic, PD-1, radiation

Keywords

• immunotherapy
• gynecologic
• PD-1
• radiation