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

• Published in: Seminars in radiation oncology Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 187 - 193
• Main Authors: Lambin, Philippe, Lieverse, Relinde I.Y., Eckert, Franziska, Marcus, Damiënne, Oberije, Cary, van der Wiel, Alexander M.A., Guha, Chandan, Dubois, Ludwig J., Deasy, Joseph O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2020
• Subjects: Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Immunotherapy - methods; Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Lymphopenia - etiology; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Radiotherapy Dosage

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 tra...