PRaG therapy is an innovative cancer treatment regimen that based on radiotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to enhance the body’s immune response against tumors. This approach aims to modulate the tumor microenvironment, making it more responsive to immunotherapy.
Radiotherapy utilizes high-dose radiation to target and kill cancer cells, while also inducing immunogenic cell death that releases tumor antigens, thereby stimulating the immune system. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors block the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, which tumors often exploit to evade immune detection, thereby enhancing T-cell activity against cancer cells. GM-CSF promotes the maturation and activation of dendritic cells, which are crucial for initiating and sustaining the immune response against tumors.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of PRaG therapy in various cancer types. In a phase II study involving patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic solid tumors, the PRaG regimen achieved an objective response rate of 16.7% and a disease control rate of 46.3%. The median progression-free survival was 4.0 months, and median overall survival was 10.5 months.
The PRaG regimen has been generally well-tolerated. In the phase II study, grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 10% of patients, and grade 4 in 2%. The most common side effects included fatigue, fever, alopecia, and anorexia.
In conclusion, PRaG therapy represents a promising advancement in cancer treatment by integrating radiotherapy with immunotherapy agents to enhance the body’s natural defenses against tumors. While clinical outcomes are encouraging, further research and larger clinical trials are necessary to fully establish its efficacy and safety across diverse cancer types.
