The influence of radiotherapy on the immune status of glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common adult primary brain tumor and carries a dismalprognosis. Surgery if possible following radiotherapy plus chemotherapy is still a standard first⁃line therapydue to checkpoint⁃blocking antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1)/programmed celldeath protein ligand 1 (PDL1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte⁃associated antigen 4 (CTLA⁃4) in GBM failed toshow the same encouraging results for now. Radiotherapy may serve as a mechanism to improve tumorimmunogenicity, especial for a immunologically "cold" tumor like GBM. In this review, we criticallyevaluate current evidence regarding radiation as an enhancer for immunotherapies through modulation ofGBM microenvironment, natural killer T cell (NKT) status, immune processes and how these modulationcould optimally argumentation immunotherapy. Insights from radiotherapy may unveil additional novelopportunities to help mobilize immunity against GBM.

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2020.02.009