Mechanisms and applications of radiation-induced oxidative stress in regulating cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT) is an effective treatment option for cancer patients, which induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causes oxidative stress (OS), leading to the death of tumor cells. OS not only causes apoptosis, autophagy and ferroptosis, but also affects tumor immune response. The combination of RT and immunotherapy has revolutionized the management of various cancers. In this process, OS caused by ROS plays a critical role. Specifically, RT-induced ROS can promote the release of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), regulate the infiltration and differentiation of immune cells, manipulate the expression of immune checkpoints, and change the tumor immune microenvironment (TME). In this review, we briefly summarize several ways in which IR induces tumor cell death and discuss the interrelationship between RT-induced OS and antitumor immunity, with a focus on the interaction of ferroptosis with immunogenic death. We also summarize the potential mechanisms by which ROS regulates immune checkpoint expression, immune cells activity, and differentiation. In addition, we conclude the therapeutic opportunity improving radiotherapy in combination with immunotherapy by regulating OS, which may be beneficial for clinical treatment.

Disrupted gut microecology after high-dose 131I therapy and radioprotective effects of arachidonic acid supplementation

“…4 J–M), suggesting that ARA ameliorated radiation-induced systemic and intestinal inflammation. We next investigated whether ARA mediated radioprotection in mice by preventing irradiation-induced oxidative stress [ 16 ]. After ARA treatment, high oxidative stress levels induced by radiation were recovered, with decreased level of MDA (oxidative stress marker) and increased level of Nrf2 and HO1 (antioxidant markers) (Fig.…”

Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy on the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a systematic review during 2008–2023

“…PDT is a chemical process that produces exogenous ROS in the presence of oxygen when PS is placed in the target area. ROS are the main factor in the effectiveness of the PDT mode of action by destroying abnormal cancer cells ( Zheng et al, 2023 ) and pathogenic bacteria ( Ghorbani et al, 2018 ) that are specifically targeted to be destroyed. On the other hand, under normal conditions, 90% of the ROS in the body are produced by the mitochondrial electron chain in response to hypoxia, ischemia, aging, etc.…”

The role of ferroptosis in radiotherapy and combination therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

“…IR-induced radiobiological effects are closely associated with ferroptosis. IR can induce ferroptosis in tumor cells, and the ROS produced by ferroptosis are involved in the regulation of tumor cell radiosensitivity and the tumor microenvironment (TME) ( 97 ). Local hypoxia and inherent or adaptive RR of tumor cells may lead to decreased radiosensitivity.…”