Low-dose total body irradiation enhances systemic anti-tumor immunity induced by local cryotherapy

Abstract

The immune system plays a key role in the elimination of tumors. Strategies that restore the immune system's ability to recognize malignant cells have yielded clinical bene ts but only in some patients. Tumor cells survive cryotherapy and produce a vast amount of antigens to trigger innate and adaptive responses. However, because tumor cells have developed immune escape mechanisms, cryotherapy alone may not be enough to induce a signi cant immune response. In this study, we present unique treatment options for enhancing the immune response caused by cryotherapy, pointing to the way forward for cancer treatment. We found that low-dose total body irradiation (L-TBI) in conjunction with local cryotherapy can effectively control tumor regrowth, inhibit tumor lung metastasis, extend the survival time of mice, and stimulate a long-term protective anti-tumor immune response to resist the rechallenge of tumor cells. The anti-tumor mechanism of this combination therapy may be related to the stimulation of in ammatory factors IFN-γ and IL-2, as well as an increase in immune effector cells (CD8 + T cells) and a decrease in immunosuppressive cells (MDSC, Treg cells) in the spleen or tumor tissue.

The Past, Present, Future: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Human Skin Diseases

“…One subtle benefit of cryotherapy compared to traditional excision methods is enhanced immunity. In the case of cryosurgery, the antigens present on the dead malignant cells are retained, allowing for a host immune response to develop [140][141][142].…”

The Past, Present, Future: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Human Skin Diseases

“…One subtle benefit of cryotherapy compared to traditional excision methods is enhanced immunity. In the case of cryosurgery, the antigens present on the dead malignant cells are retained, allowing for a host immune response to develop [139,140].…”