CURRENT CONCEPTS IN CANCER - HYPOXIC SENSITIZERS - IMPLICATIONS FOR RADIATION-THERAPY

THE proliferative capacity of human cells can be destroyed by ionizing radiation, and the rate of killing by radiation is 2.5 to three times higher in the presence of oxygen than under hypoxic conditions. Since solid tumors often have zones of necrosis and consequently are likely to contain hypoxic yet viable cells, this radiobiologic effect may have implications for cancer therapy. Radioresistant tumor cells that survive treatment can become reoxygenated and lead to a recurrence of the disease. A recent analysis of 2803 patients with carcinoma of the cervix treated with radiation therapy indicated that those with hemoglobin levels of. © 1979, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.