Overcoming non-small cell lung cancer radiation resistance by modulating the tumor-immune ecosystem

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although radiotherapy is an effective treatment choice for early-stage cases, the 5-year survival rate of patients diagnosed in late-stages remains poor. Increasing evidence suggests that the local and systemic effects of radiotherapy dependent on the induced anti-tumor immune responses. We believe that an educated adaptation of radiotherapy plans based not only on the induced immune responses, but also on the tumor-immune ecosystem composition at the beginning of treatment might increase local tumor control. We propose two different mathematical models to evaluate the potential of the tumor-immune context to inform adaptation of treatment plans with the aim of improving outcomes.