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Review
. 2020 Nov 19;23(1):4.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-020-00993-w.

Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy Combinations for Lung Cancer

Vishesh Agrawal  1 , Kimberly Thomas Benjamin  2 , Eric C Ko  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy Combinations for Lung Cancer

Vishesh Agrawal et al. Curr Oncol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Positive results from recent immunotherapy trials of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have coincided with a greater appreciation for the impact of radiation therapy (RT) on tumor immunity. Here, we summarize key clinical findings and ongoing efforts to combine immunotherapy and RT for the treatment of NSCLC.

Recent findings: The role of immunotherapy for NSCLC has expanded significantly following the pivotal approvals of nivolumab and pembrolizumab for metastatic NSCLC, maintenance durvalumab in unresectable stage III NSCLC, and atezolizumab for metastatic NSCLC. Several small early-phase trials have demonstrated the ability of RT to elicit clinically significant tumor immunity. These positive findings support current trial efforts combining RT with immunotherapy for NSCLC. Recently initiated trials of RT and immunotherapy hold significant promise in expanding the therapeutic options for NSCLC. Optimization of therapy will require careful patient selection to yield meaningful improvements in clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Abscopal effect; Checkpoint inhibitors; Immune checkpoint blockade; Immunotherapy; Radiation therapy; Stereotactic body radiation therapy.

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