Giaj-Levra N, Sciascia S, Fiorentino A, Fersino S, Mazzola R, Ricchetti F, Roccatello D, Alongi F, et al.
The Lancet. Oncology. Date of publication 2016 Mar 1;volume 17(3):e109-17.
1. Lancet Oncol. 2016 Mar;17(3):e109-17. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00417-9. Epub
2016 Mar 2.
Radiotherapy in patients with connective tissue diseases.
Giaj-Levra N(1), Sciascia S(2), Fiorentino A(3), Fersino S(3), Mazzola R(3),
Ricchetti F(3), Roccatello D(2), Alongi F(3).
Author information:
(1)Radiation Oncology Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Electronic address: niccolo.giajlevra@sacrocuore.it.
(2)Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases-Coordinating Center of
Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta Network for Rare Diseases, Department of Clinical and
Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Italy, Turin, Italy.
(3)Radiation Oncology Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
The decision to offer radiotherapy in patients with connective tissue diseases
continues to be challenging. Radiotherapy might trigger the onset of connective
tissue diseases by increasing the expression of self-antigens, diminishing
regulatory T-cell activity, and activating effectors of innate immunity
(dendritic cells) through Toll-like receptor-dependent mechanisms, all of which
could potentially lead to breaks of immune tolerance. This potential risk has
raised some debate among radiation oncologists about whether patients with
connective tissue diseases can tolerate radiation as well as people without
connective tissue diseases. Because the number of patients with cancer and
connective tissue diseases needing radiotherapy will probably increase due to
improvements in medical treatment and longer life expectancy, the issue of
interactions between radiotherapy and connective tissue diseases needs to be
clearer. In this Review, we discuss available data and evidence for patients with
connective tissue diseases treated with radiotherapy.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00417-9
PMID: 26972857 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
