Research progress in the mechanism of elective nodal irradiation inhibiting anti-cancer immune response / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

In the era of immunotherapy, the advantages and limitations brought from elective nodal irradiation (ENI) needs to be re-evaluated. As immune organs, lymph nodes play a crucial role as barriers against cancer, and are involved in the activation of anti-tumor responses during radiotherapy. Numerous animal experiments have demonstrated a significant depletion of cytotoxic T cells in the tumor microenvironment, along with an increase in radiation resistance after ENI or surgical resection, leading to limited tumor regression. Furthermore, the abscopal effect stimulated by radiotherapy is markedly attenuated when ENI is combined with immunotherapy. In this article, research progress in the underlying mechanisms was reviewed.