Conclusions
Overall, our study demonstrated superior efficacy of combination treatment with RT and sustained intratumoral immunotherapy via NDES, offering promise for improving therapeutic index and clinical response.
Purpose
Mounting evidence demonstrates that combining radiation therapy (RT) with immunotherapy can reduce tumor burden in a subset of patients. However, conventional systemic delivery of immunotherapeutics is often associated with significant adverse effects, which force treatment cessation. The aim of this study was to investigate a minimally invasive therapeutics delivery approach to improve clinical response while attenuating toxicity.
Results
The combination of RT and sustained intratumoral immunotherapy delivery of CD40 and PDL1 via NDES (NDES CD40/PDL1) showed an increase in both local and systemic immune response. In combination with RT, NDES CD40/PDL1 achieved significant tumor burden reduction and liver inflammation mitigation compared with systemic treatment. Importantly, our treatment strategy boosted the abscopal effect toward attenuating lung metastatic burden. Conclusions: Overall, our study demonstrated superior efficacy of combination treatment with RT and sustained intratumoral immunotherapy via NDES, offering promise for improving therapeutic index and clinical response.