Lymphocyte-Sparing Radiotherapy: The Rationale for Protecting Lymphocyte-rich Organs When Combining Radiotherapy With Immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT: There is now strong clinical and preclinical evidence that lymphocytes, for example, CD8⁺ T cells, are key effectors of immunotherapy and that irradiation of large blood vessels, the heart, and lymphoid organs (including nodes, spleen, bones containing bone marrow, and thymus in children) causes transient or persistent lymphopenia. Furthermore, there is extensive clinical evidence, across multiple cancer sites and treatment modalities, that lymphopenia correlates strongly with decreased overall survival. At the moment, we lack quantitative evidence to establish the relationship between dose-volume and dose-rate to critical normal structures and lymphopenia. Therefore, we propose that data should be systematically recorded to characterise a possible quantitative relationship. Thi

SUBMITTER: Lambin P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8412054 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature