Abstract
Delivery of high doses of radiation to thoracic region, particularly with non-small cell lung cancer patients, becomes difficult due to subsequent complications arising in the lungs of the patient. Radiation-induced pneumonitis is an early event evident in most radiation exposed patients observed within 2–4 months of treatment and leading to fibrosis later. Several cytokines and inflammatory molecules interplay in the vicinity of the tissue developing radiation injury leading to pneumonitis and fibrosis. While certain cytokines may be exploited as biomarkers, they also appear to be a potent target of intervention at transcriptional level. Initiation and progression of pneumonitis and fibrosis thus are dynamic processes arising after few months to year after irradiation of the lung tissue. Currently, available treatment strategies are challenged by the major dose limiting complications that curtails success of the treatment as well as well being of the patient’s future life. Several approaches have been in practice while many other are still being explored to overcome such complications. The current review gives a brief account of the immunological aspects, existing management practices, and suggests possible futuristic approaches.
Highlights
Majority of cancer treatment involves the use of radiation, at least at times
The absence of MyD88 resulted in unresolved pulmonary infiltrate and enhanced collagen deposition plus elevated Th2 cytokines in long-term survivors of irradiation. These results summarily demonstrated that post-irradiation in lungs, MyD88 is important for regulating non-infectious inflammatory processes to promote tissue regeneration
Investigators reported that inflammatory cytokines were induced in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) both during and after radiotherapy and concentrations of IL-6, MCP-1, MCP-3, and IP-10 correlated with the mean lung dose (MLD) [37]
Summary
Majority of cancer treatment involves the use of radiation, at least at times. Radiotherapy procedures involving lungs, as in the case of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and some others, face a major limitation in delivering higher radiation doses because of the concerns of later lung toxicities experienced in the form of pneumonitis and fibrosis. The local inflammation and alterations in cytokine production, lead to pneumonitis development. The biomarkers of radiation-induced pneumonitis and current modalities under practice to overcome complications like radiation-induced pneumonitis available in literature will be discussed. Besides the recent progresses in developing modalities to reduce or mitigate radiation pneumonitis, the possibility of using HDAC inhibitors for the same will be highlighted. T cells are known to act in antigen recognition and its processing while
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
