About this Research Topic
Radiotherapy (RT) is used widely in managing cancers. In modern RT, innovative technology and the development of high-quality irradiation equipment play a vital role. For example, volumetric-modified arc therapy (VMAT), simultaneously integrated inner-escalated boost (SIEB), and proton therapy (PT) precisely deliver ionizing irradiation to cancer target zones but preserve normal tissues. However, for maximally improving clinical outcomes, RT is frequently prescribed in conjunction with other treatment modalities, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Recently, combined RT and immunotherapy gained much interest, known as the systemic therapy augmented by radiotherapy (STAR) effect.
Biologically, DNA damage is the main killing effect of RT, resulting in genetic and epigenetic disturbance of cancer cells. Remarkably, irradiation-induced epigenetic changes alter interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment, enhancing immune cell priming. Tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells, one of the leading players in the tumor microenvironment, play essential roles in cancer biology. After irradiation, damaged cancer cells could release pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor-derived antigens, and other danger signals that could be captured for triggering anti-tumor immune responses. Recently, it is known as RT to have immunomodulatory effects on the tumor microenvironment, which can take advantage of the fact that immune cells can target and kill cancer cells. There is now intense interest in potentially using RT to induce an anti-tumor immune response, which has led to the development of immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches using an immune-modulating agent in combination with RT to enhance anti-tumor response.
Epigenetics, representing a wide range of regulations on gene expression, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA regulation, plays an essential role in the cellular response to irradiation. Radioresistance, either primary or secondary, is one clinical obstacle in RT, increasing the risk of post-irradiation locoregional recurrence. Aberrant epigenetic alterations have been implicated as an essential mechanism in cancer radioresistance. Several lines of preclinical evidence demonstrate that epigenetic-targeted treatments can reverse radioresistant phenotype and enhance radiosensitivity. However, the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic are complex, and their clinical implications should be further defined.
Radiotherapy is a well-known anti-cancer treatment modality. Currently, radiotherapy has been recognized as one of the immune-modulatory managements in conjunction with immunotherapy. On the other hand, epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and miRNA regulation, plays an exciting role in defining biological mechanisms and modifying the clinical effects of radiotherapy and radiation-immune combinations. Hence, for this Research Topic, we would like to collect and demonstrate preclinical research and clinical practices to explore novel strategies, investigate underlying mechanisms, and improve therapeutic gains.
We welcome submissions of Original Research and Review articles. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
• Novel drug-radiotherapy combinations to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment
• Evaluation of innovative radiation techniques and related dosimetry and advanced radiation treatment
• Regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic modification in the cellular response to ionizing radiation and therapeutic applications
• Identification of novel immune-relevant drug target genes and combinatorial radiotherapy strategies
• Mechanism of radioresistance and the development of radiosensitizers
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Biologically, DNA damage is the main killing effect of RT, resulting in genetic and epigenetic disturbance of cancer cells. Remarkably, irradiation-induced epigenetic changes alter interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment, enhancing immune cell priming. Tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells, one of the leading players in the tumor microenvironment, play essential roles in cancer biology. After irradiation, damaged cancer cells could release pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor-derived antigens, and other danger signals that could be captured for triggering anti-tumor immune responses. Recently, it is known as RT to have immunomodulatory effects on the tumor microenvironment, which can take advantage of the fact that immune cells can target and kill cancer cells. There is now intense interest in potentially using RT to induce an anti-tumor immune response, which has led to the development of immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches using an immune-modulating agent in combination with RT to enhance anti-tumor response.
Epigenetics, representing a wide range of regulations on gene expression, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA regulation, plays an essential role in the cellular response to irradiation. Radioresistance, either primary or secondary, is one clinical obstacle in RT, increasing the risk of post-irradiation locoregional recurrence. Aberrant epigenetic alterations have been implicated as an essential mechanism in cancer radioresistance. Several lines of preclinical evidence demonstrate that epigenetic-targeted treatments can reverse radioresistant phenotype and enhance radiosensitivity. However, the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic are complex, and their clinical implications should be further defined.
Radiotherapy is a well-known anti-cancer treatment modality. Currently, radiotherapy has been recognized as one of the immune-modulatory managements in conjunction with immunotherapy. On the other hand, epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and miRNA regulation, plays an exciting role in defining biological mechanisms and modifying the clinical effects of radiotherapy and radiation-immune combinations. Hence, for this Research Topic, we would like to collect and demonstrate preclinical research and clinical practices to explore novel strategies, investigate underlying mechanisms, and improve therapeutic gains.
We welcome submissions of Original Research and Review articles. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
• Novel drug-radiotherapy combinations to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment
• Evaluation of innovative radiation techniques and related dosimetry and advanced radiation treatment
• Regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic modification in the cellular response to ionizing radiation and therapeutic applications
• Identification of novel immune-relevant drug target genes and combinatorial radiotherapy strategies
• Mechanism of radioresistance and the development of radiosensitizers
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Keywords: Radiotherapy, Epigenetics, Radiosensitivity, Cancer, immuno-oncology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
