In recent decades, cancer therapeutic strategies have greatly benefited from genomic and molecular characterization of tumors and technological innovations that have allowed more personalized approaches. For example, novel small molecule inhibitors, such as dabrafenib, have changed the treatment landscape for BRAF-mutant tumors, or anti-HER2 antibodies, such as trastuzumab, have revolutionized the treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. Immune checkpoint blockade with anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1, and/or anti-PD-L1 have recently been shown to improve outcomes in many diverse cancer subtypes by reactivating patients’ immune response. CAR T-cell therapy is another form of immunotherapy that has revolutionized treatment for hematologic malignancies. On the other hand, local control with surgery and radiotherapy remains critical for long-term outcomes in many diverse cancer subtypes. With the advent of these novel systemic therapies, the cancer treatment paradigm is changing and increasingly personalized to molecular or genomic information from the patient’s tumor. While new preclinical and clinical studies have already begun to investigate the role of radiotherapy in this ever changing landscape, the role of radiotherapy within novel treatment paradigms incorporating targeted therapy remains not well defined or understood.
This Research Topic aims to capture the most up-to-date and relevant research, commentary, and review of the changes in radiotherapy treatment paradigm in the era of targeted inhibitors, immunotherapy, and CAR T-cell therapy.
We welcome laboratory, translational, and clinical studies that explore the intersection of radiotherapy and novel systemic therapy options, including, but not limited to:
• Basic or translational research studies including radiobiology and in vivo imaging that investigate the role of radiosensitizers or concurrent radioimmunology to tackle diverse cancer types
• Clinical studies that examine the safety and/or efficacy of combination radiation with novel targeted therapy, including, but not limited to, small molecular inhibitors, immune checkpoint blockade, or CAR T-cell therapy
• Review articles or commentary on future cancer treatment paradigms incorporating radiotherapy in the era of precision oncology, including clinical trial design
In recent decades, cancer therapeutic strategies have greatly benefited from genomic and molecular characterization of tumors and technological innovations that have allowed more personalized approaches. For example, novel small molecule inhibitors, such as dabrafenib, have changed the treatment landscape for BRAF-mutant tumors, or anti-HER2 antibodies, such as trastuzumab, have revolutionized the treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. Immune checkpoint blockade with anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1, and/or anti-PD-L1 have recently been shown to improve outcomes in many diverse cancer subtypes by reactivating patients’ immune response. CAR T-cell therapy is another form of immunotherapy that has revolutionized treatment for hematologic malignancies. On the other hand, local control with surgery and radiotherapy remains critical for long-term outcomes in many diverse cancer subtypes. With the advent of these novel systemic therapies, the cancer treatment paradigm is changing and increasingly personalized to molecular or genomic information from the patient’s tumor. While new preclinical and clinical studies have already begun to investigate the role of radiotherapy in this ever changing landscape, the role of radiotherapy within novel treatment paradigms incorporating targeted therapy remains not well defined or understood.
This Research Topic aims to capture the most up-to-date and relevant research, commentary, and review of the changes in radiotherapy treatment paradigm in the era of targeted inhibitors, immunotherapy, and CAR T-cell therapy.
We welcome laboratory, translational, and clinical studies that explore the intersection of radiotherapy and novel systemic therapy options, including, but not limited to:
• Basic or translational research studies including radiobiology and in vivo imaging that investigate the role of radiosensitizers or concurrent radioimmunology to tackle diverse cancer types
• Clinical studies that examine the safety and/or efficacy of combination radiation with novel targeted therapy, including, but not limited to, small molecular inhibitors, immune checkpoint blockade, or CAR T-cell therapy
• Review articles or commentary on future cancer treatment paradigms incorporating radiotherapy in the era of precision oncology, including clinical trial design