Journal of International Oncology ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (4): 231-236.doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20240727-00038

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Impacts of radiotherapy on anti-tumor immunity:a comprehensive review from the fundamental to the clinical

Wen Yingmei, Xia Jinxiong, Wang Yuanyuan, Yao Yi()   

  1. Cancer Center,Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University,Wuhan 430060,China
  • Received:2024-07-27 Revised:2024-12-09 Online:2025-04-08 Published:2025-04-21
  • Supported by:
    Maligant Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity Improvement Project of Beijing Public Health Foundation(EXZL-GX-012)

Abstract:

Radiotherapy is a crucial component of the treatment of tumors. In addition to directly causing DNA damage in tumor cells and inducing cell apoptosis,radiotherapy is also involved in the regulation of systemic immune status. Increasing evidence indicates that radiotherapy can remodel the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and reverse the immunosuppressive state,thereby enhancing anti-tumor effects and demonstrating stronger immune responses and therapeutic benefits when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Taking lung cancer as an example to explore the impacts and potential mechanisms of radiotherapy on the TIME and anti-tumor immunity,which can provide a scientific basis for optimizing the treatment strategies of lung cancer.

Key words: Radiotherapy, Lung neoplasms, Tumor microenvironment, Immunotherapy, Immunomodulation