ESMO-ESTRO framework for assessing the interactions and safety of combining radiotherapy with targeted cancer therapies or immunotherapy

With the emergence of targeted therapies and immunotherapy, various cellular pathways are utilized to improve tumor control and patient survival. In patients receiving these new agents, radiotherapy is commonly applied with both radical and palliative intent. Combining radiotherapy with targeted therapies or immunotherapy may improve treatment outcomes, but may also lead to increased toxicity. High-quality toxicity data and evidence-based guidelines regarding combined therapy are very limited. The present framework, developed by ESMO and ESTRO, explores the main biological effects and interaction mechanisms of radiotherapy combined with targeted agents or immunotherapy. It addresses general clinical factors to take into consideration when deciding on whether and/or how to combine radiotherapy with these agents. Furthermore, it provides pragmatic, biological mechanism-based, clinical considerations for combining radiotherapy with various targeted agents or immunotherapy.