Hypoxic Sensitizers: Radiobiological Studies at the Cellular Level

Authors:
  • EHEric J. Hall
    Eric J. Hall
  • LRLaurie Roizin-Towle
    Laurie Roizin-Towle
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Abstract
The nitroimidazoles have been found to selectively sensitize hypoxic cells to the effects of irradiation. The latest in this family of drugs is RO-07-0582, which is able to mimic 80% of the oxygen effect at a concentration of 5 mM by modifying the sensitivity of hypoxic cells to single doses of gamma rays; however, it is not a substitution for oxygen in promoting the repair of sublethal radiation damage between split doses. Studies show that it is a powerful cytotoxic agent as well and selectively operates against hypoxic cells.