Optimizing cancer treatments to induce an acute immune response: radiation Abscopal effects, PAMPs, and DAMPs.

Abstract

Clinical results indicate improved survival in poorly differentiated prostate cancer patients following a treatment schedule that maximizes hormone therapy prior to radiation. This may be because of a systemic immune response, called an abscopal effect. A literature review showed an association between acute infection and abscopal cancer remission. This led to the theory that, in the presence of endogenous cancer-specific antigens exposed by cancer necrosis, an innate immune response can adapt to respond to those antigens via a cross-talk mechanism. This theory was validated in an animal model. An acute innate immune T-cell response was stimulated using cluster vaccination with Poly(I:C). In the presence of exogenous cancer-specific antigens, this immune response became adaptive, creating an abscopal effect that resulted in cancer resolution. These concepts may be of clinical value, improving outcomes by inducing systemic abscopal effects.

• Authors: Charles M Ludgate
• Journal: Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (Clin Cancer Res) Vol. 18 Issue 17 Pg. 4522-5 (Sep 01 2012) ISSN: 1557-3265 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22761465 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: ©2012 AACR.

Chemical References

• Hormones
• RNA, Bacterial

Topics

• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (drug effects)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate (drug effects)
• Male
• Neoplasm Grading
• Prostatic Neoplasms (immunology, pathology, therapy)
• RNA, Bacterial (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Radiotherapy