Figure 2.

Schematic representation of the RT strategies for the treatment of melanoma. In the upper part of the figure, there is a schematic representation of melanoma irradiation with conventional RT (on the left) and MRT (on the right). In the lower part, the balance between positive and negative effects influencing treatment outcomes are represented (i.e., tumour control) for both RT modalities. On the left, we can see how the pro-tumour immune response, associated with radioresistance, outbalances the anti-tumour immune response induced by conventional RT. This leads to the current uncommon use of conventional RT for the treatment of melanoma. In the lower right panel, it is shown how the positive effects of MRT, such as induction of the anti-tumour immune response, overcoming melanoma radioresistance, and possible triggering of abscopal effects, shift the balance towards a better outcome for melanoma eradication. This promotes MRT as a new opportunity for melanoma treatment in future clinical settings.