Radiotherapy has an established role in the treatment of many patients with cancer, with evidence suggesting that this modality can also have immunostimulatory effects in certain scenarios. More recently, evidence has emerged supporting a role of the microbiome in influencing the incidence and severity of toxicities in patients receiving radiotherapy as well as in mediating possible synergy with other therapeutic interventions, including immunotherapy. In this Review, the authors explore the clinical potential of these emerging relationships.
- Jianzhou Chen
- Eric Deutsch
- Laurence Zitvogel