Radiotherapy for brain metastases in the era of targeted therapies and immunotherapies

01/2020 Special Edition

MUDr. Tomáš Blažek

Radioterapeutická a onkologická klinika, 3. LF UK a FN Královské Vinohrady, Praha

SUMMARY

Therapy of brain metastases is a very attractive topic in the era of the new systemic palliative treatment approaches and improved local treatment techniques. The new radiotherapy techniques, targeted therapy and immunotherapy substantially changed the prognosis of the patients and their overall survival. The most important factors are the number of metastases, their localization, histological type and presence or absence of key structures such as receptors or ligands in order to be the therapy targeted. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current treatment options and discuss the challenges and future visions of the treatment.

Key words

brain metastases, external beam radiotherapy, malignant melanoma, lung adenocarcinoma, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, abscopal effect