Definition
Abscopal effects describe nontargeted, radiotherapy (RT)-induced tumor regression in lesions or tumor or metastatic regions distant from the irradiated site.
Characteristics
More than 50% of patients with solid tumors are treated with radiotherapy either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Apart from direct cytotoxic effects of radiation therapy which are predominantly caused by the deposition of low and high LET (Radiosensitization) energy to the nucleus and DNA (DNA Damage; DNA Damage Response; DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis; Repair of DNA), non-(DNA)-targeting radiation effects that result in tumor regression in lesions distant from the irradiated tumor have been described. These so-called abscopal effects, firstly described by Mole in 1953 (Whole body irradiation;...
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References
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Multhoff, G. (2014). Abscopal Effects. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46875-3_7217
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46875-3_7217
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