Palliative extracranial radiotherapy in patients receiving immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a narrative review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Role of radiotherapy (RT) in the era of immuno-oncology (IO) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rapidly changing. RT is not only intended for addressing palliation symptoms but also is considered as a potential tool potentializing an immunogenic effect of given drugs. However, the best timing, techniques, doses, volumes, and its use for asymptomatic patients is a subject of research. We performed a review on the role of palliative RT schedules in combination with IO for advanced NSCLC. Indications in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, outcomes, toxicity, and possible developments are discussed. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and PubMed databases and clinicaltrials.gov using the keywords ‘lung cancer’ AND “immunotherapy” AND ‘radiotherapy’ OR “palliative radiotherapy”. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Body of evidence indicate that palliative RT used in combination with IO is effective in terms of symptom management and safe; does not increase the risk of serious side effects, including serious pulmonary toxicity. We have limited data evidencing improvement of survival by addition of short ablative RT dose to one site of the disease to IO in oligometastatic NSCLC. Some data indicate that short ablative doses of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are more effective with regard to treatment response and survival than protracted RT schedule with lower fractional doses. However, this may be a selection bias of better prognostic patients who underwent SBRT. The use of steroids being a potential concern during IO should not be prohibited if clinically indicated during palliative RT. Its detrimental effect shown in some studies may also be a result of selection bias, because steroids given for not cancer-related causes during IO did not decrease survival. CONCLUSIONS: RT for symptom management may be used during, directly before or after IO. This has a potential to ease symptom burdens and improve performance status (PS). However, still more studies are needed to establish optimal guidelines in asymptomatic patients for appropriate timing, volumes, dose, and fractionation schedules of palliative RT use in combination with IO.