Figure 3.

Combining RT with metalloproteinase inhibitors for improved tumor control. (A) Next to cell killing and tumor shrinkage, RT activates metalloproteinases that release pro-survival factors (indicated in blue, red, and yellow) into the TME, resulting in tumor cell proliferation, enhanced tumor angiogenesis and pro-tumorigenic immune responses. At the same metalloproteinases disrupt the ECM barrier (gray), enabling tumor cell dissemination. (B) Combining RT with inhibition of metalloproteinases mitigates pro-survival signaling and results in more effective tumor cell killing.