On the path to seeking novel radiosensitizers

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2009 Mar 15;73(4):988-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.12.002.

Abstract

Radiation therapy is a highly effective cancer treatment modality, and extensive investigations have been undertaken over the years to augment its efficacy in the clinic. This review summarizes the current understanding of the biologic bases underpinning many of the clinically used radiosensitizers. In addition, this review illustrates how the advent of innovative, high-throughput technologies with integration of different disciplines could be harnessed for an expeditious discovery process for novel radiosensitizers, providing an exciting future for such pursuits in radiation biology and oncology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / methods
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 / physiology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Tolerance / physiology
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / classification
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / metabolism
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents