Local radiotherapy and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to generate abscopal responses in patients with metastatic solid tumours: a proof-of-principle trial

Radiation therapy and the abscopal effect: a concept comes of age

“…In this proof-of-principle clinical trial, Golden and colleagues are the first to demonstrate that abscopal responses can be consistently detected in patients with confirmed solid metastatic cancer treated with radiation therapy and immunotherapy (14). All of the enrolled 41 patients had to have stable or progressing disease to standard systemic treatments and at least three distinct sites of measurable disease.…”

Clinical development of new drug–radiotherapy combinations

“…Evidence suggests that radiotherapy can generate clinically significant antitumour immunity 29,106 . Radiotherapy-induced tumour cell death leads to release of 'danger signals', such as ecto-calreticulin, high mobility group box 1 and damage-associated molecular patterns, which recruit antigen-presenting cells that prime tumour antigen-specific T-cell responses 107 .…”

Irradiation and immunotherapy: From concept to the clinic

“…40,41 Although the experience with interferons has been disappointing, the IL-2 and GM-CSF experiences are promising. Early results of intratumor dendritic cell injections are intriguing and awaiting final outcomes.…”

“…81 After intracranial (62%) and extracranial RT, 52% of patients demonstrated an abscopal effect, defined as an immune-related and tumor-inhibitory effect observed outside of the irradiated field. Most patients had PRs (n 5 9), whereas 2 patients had SD for at least 4 41 all whom had 6 metastases. Because the optimal radiation dose schedule and timing required to induce an abscopal effect is unknown, many studies are underway hoping to answer this question.…”