Combining immunotherapy with radiation for the treatment of glioblastoma

J Neurooncol. 2015 Jul;123(3):459-64. doi: 10.1007/s11060-015-1762-9. Epub 2015 Apr 17.

Abstract

Glioblastoma is a devastating cancer with universally poor outcomes in spite of current standard multimodal therapy. Immunotherapy is an attractive new treatment modality given its potential for exquisite specificity and its favorable side effect profile; however, clinical trials of immunotherapy in GBM have thus far shown modest benefit. Optimally combining radiation with immunotherapy may be the key to unlocking the potential of both therapies given the evidence that radiation can enhance anti-tumor immunity. Here we review this evidence and discuss considerations for combined therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / immunology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Glioblastoma / immunology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Radiotherapy / methods*