Hormetic and synergistic effects of cancer treatments revealed by modelling combinations of radio - or chemotherapy with immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Radio/chemotherapy and immune systems provide examples of hormesis, as tumours can be stimulated (or reduced) at low radio/chemical or antibody doses but inhibited (or stimulated) by high doses.

Methods

Interactions between effector cells, tumour cells and cytokines with pulsed radio/chemo-immunotherapy were modelled using a pulse differential system.

Results

Our results show that radio/chemotherapy (dose) response curves (RCRC) and/or immune response curves (IRC) or a combination of both, undergo homeostatic changes or catastrophic shifts revealing hormesis in many parameter regions. Some mixed response curves had multiple humps, posing challenges for interpretation of clinical trials and experimental design, due to a fuzzy region between an hormetic zone

SUBMITTER: Tang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10605942 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature