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Radiotherapy and Immune Response
Radiation is cytotoxic through the induction
of non-repairable, double-stranded DNA breaks.
It has long been believed that radiation is immunosuppressive.
(normal hematopoietic cells and hematologic malignancies
appear to be very sensitive to low radiation; release of
immunosuppressive factors)
However, the effects of RT are multifaceted and may serve as an immune
stimulus: primary tumor site; abscopal site
Radiotherapy meets Immunology