The Role of Combined Radiation and Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer Treatment

Background: Interest in harnessing the power of the host immune
system to combat breast cancer recently has gained
significant momentum. A growing body of evidence suggests
that combined radiation therapy (RT) and immunotherapy
synergistically activate a systemic immune response.
Methods: A review of original research, pre-clinical, retrospective,
and prospective clinical studies was performed to
assess the existing evidence to support a role for combined
immunoradiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer.
Results: Substantial evidence supports a synergism in combined
immunoradiotherapy approaches. In this role, RTserves
not only as a potent mediator of local control but also as an
important component of systemic disease control. Actively
accruing clinical trials aim to further define the clinical impact
of immunoradiotherapeutic approaches in breast cancer.
Conclusions: This review provides an overview of the interplay
between RT and emerging oncoimmunotherapy strategies
and provides a biological explanation for their synergy
in the treatment of breast cancer. More robust nationally
funded studies are indicated.