Dr. Sandra Demaria on Radiation and Immunotherapy Combination Regimens

Sandra Demaria, MD, assistant professor of Radiation Oncology, (Interim), Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College and New-York Presbyterian, discusses the synergy with radiation therapy and immunotherapy as a potential combination regimen for patients with cancer.

Radiation therapy has various effects on patients depending on the way it is administered, Demaria explains. Nevertheless, there is a synergy that exists between radiation therapy and immunotherapy that has an effect on the tumor microenvironment.

Evidence suggests that T-cell responses can occur with such a combination, she adds, while ongoing research is examining additional immunotherapy and radiation therapy agents. This is particulary interesting, Demaria says, because radiation therapy is readily available; however, it could now be administered in a completely different way to induce a systemic effect on tumors.