Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) activates both pro-and anti-proliferative signal pathways producing an imbalance in cell fate decision. IR is able to regulate several genes and factors involved in cell-cycle progression, survival and/or cell death, DNA repair and inflammation modulating an intracellular radiation-dependent response. Radiation therapy can modulate anti-tumour immune responses, modifying tumour and its microenvironment. In this review, we report how IR could stimulate inflammatory factors to affect cell fate via multiple pathways, describing their roles on gene expression regulation, fibrosis and invasive processes. Understanding the complex relationship between IR, inflammation and immune responses in cancer, opens up new avenues for radiation research and therapy in order to optimize and personalize radiation therapy treatment for each patient.
Highlights
Radiation therapy (RT) is a treatment modality used for many types of cancer: more than 50% of cancer patients receive RT, often used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy [1]
Ionizing radiation (IR) activate both pro- and antiproliferative signal pathways altering the homeostatic balance between survival and cell death, regulated by several genes and factors involved in cell cycle progression, DNA repair, inflammation and cell death induction [2]
An increasing amount of data suggests that there is a direct relationship by which radiation stimulate the immune system, which in turn contributes to tumour cell death [4]
Summary
Radiation therapy (RT) is a treatment modality used for many types of cancer: more than 50% of cancer patients receive RT, often used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy [1].Ionizing radiation (IR) activate both pro- and antiproliferative signal pathways altering the homeostatic balance between survival and cell death, regulated by several genes and factors involved in cell cycle progression, DNA repair, inflammation and cell death induction [2].Studies have shown that RT may reduce the incidence of distant metastases and improve survival by controlling locoregional recurrence [3].An increasing amount of data suggests that there is a direct relationship by which radiation stimulate the immune system, which in turn contributes to tumour cell death [4].It has long been recognized that the immune system plays a pivotal role in tumours. Ionizing radiation (IR) activate both pro- and antiproliferative signal pathways altering the homeostatic balance between survival and cell death, regulated by several genes and factors involved in cell cycle progression, DNA repair, inflammation and cell death induction [2]. Studies have shown that RT may reduce the incidence of distant metastases and improve survival by controlling locoregional recurrence [3]. An increasing amount of data suggests that there is a direct relationship by which radiation stimulate the immune system, which in turn contributes to tumour cell death [4]. It has long been recognized that the immune system plays a pivotal role in tumours. Immunological factors can suppress tumour development by killing cancer cells or inhibiting their growth. Immune cells are able to induce an immunosuppressive
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