Beyond checkpoint inhibition – Immunotherapeutical strategies in combination with radiation

Abstract

The revival of cancer immunotherapy has taken place with the clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibition. However, the spectrum of immunotherapeutic approaches is much broader encompassing T cell engaging strategies, tumour-specific vaccination, antibodies or immunocytokines. This review focuses on the immunological effects of irradiation and the evidence available on combination strategies with immunotherapy. The available data suggest great potential of combined treatments, yet also poses questions about dose, fractionation, timing and most promising multimodal strategies.

Keywords

• Immunotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Vaccination
• Immunocytokines
• CAR-T-cells
• Bispecific antibodies