Innate Immune System in the Context of Radiation Therapy for Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Ionizing radiation therapy is an important component of cancer treatment. This review provides a summary of the latest advancements, clinical use, and limitations of radiation therapy. Moreover, this review explores how radiation affects the body’s natural defense system, which plays a crucial role in fighting cancer. The immune responses triggered by radiation therapy help the body eliminate tumors naturally. We explore how radiation therapy triggers the immune cells of the body, like macrophages, dendric cells, and natural killer cells, to kill tumor cells effectively. The review also offers strategies to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy while preserving the body’s innate immune system. This comprehensive review is valuable for researchers, as it sheds light on the cutting-edge developments in radiation therapy and its potential impact on cancer treatment. This newfound knowledge can ultimately lead to improved cancer treatments and better outcomes for cancer patients. ABSTRACT: Radiation therapy (RT) remains an integral component of modern oncology care, with most cancer patients receiving radiation as a part of their treatment plan. The main goal of ionizing RT is to control the local tumor burden by inducing DNA damage and apoptosis within the tumor cells. The advancement in RT, including intensity-modulated RT (IMRT), stereotactic body RT (SBRT), image-guided RT, and proton therapy, have increased the efficacy of RT, equipping clinicians with techniques to ensure precise and safe administration of radiation doses to tumor cells. In this review, we present the technological advancement in various types of RT methods and highlight their clinical utility and associated limitations. This review provides insights into how RT modulates innate immune signaling and the key players involved in modulating innate immune responses, which have not been well documented earlier. Apoptosis of cancer cells following RT triggers immune systems that contribute to the eradication of tumors through innate and adoptive immunity. The innate immune system consists of various cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, which serve as key mediators of innate immunity in response to RT. This review will concentrate on the significance of the innate myeloid and lymphoid lineages in anti-tumorigenic processes triggered by RT. Furthermore, we will explore essential strategies to enhance RT efficacy. This review can serve as a platform for researchers to comprehend the clinical application and limitations of various RT methods and provides insights into how RT modulates innate immune signaling.