Decreased survival after combining thoracic irradiation and an anti-PD-1 antibody is correlated with increased T cell infiltration into cardiac and lung tissues

Combining immunotherapy and irradiation has the potential to greatly increase survival in cancer patients, but the effects of this combination on surrounding tissues has not been studied. We treated mice with either antibody or anti-PD-1 antibody, with or without thoracic irradiation, monitored survival, then analyzed immune cell infiltration into cardiac and lung tissues. Animals treated with both anti-PD-1 and thoracic irradiation had significantly decreased survival, and significantly increased infiltration of thoracic organs by CD3+ cells.

http://ift.tt/2ubRC4a