Oxygenation Status of Malignant Tumors vs. Normal Tissues: Critical Evaluation and Updated Data Source Based on Direct Measurements with pO2 Microsensors

Abstract Immature and chaotic vascular networks with critically increased intervascular distances are characteristic features of malignant tumors. Spatial temporal heterogeneities blood flow associated availabilities O 2 , together limited diffusive transport, -in some patients- anemia, obligatorily lead to tumor hypoxia (= reduced levels) on macro- microscopic scales. This detrimental condition, recently classified as a key hallmark growth, acts (a) barrier in most antitumor treatments, (b) leads progression based hypoxia-induced changes the genome, transcriptome, proteome, finally poor patient survival. knowledge is, great extent, systematic detection clinical setting since late 1980s. Precise assessment oxygenation status was made possible using minimally invasive polarographic pO microsensors series research projects. To assess setting, it is highly desirable use technologies high spatial resolutions, capability judge severity hypoxia, (c) allow mapping whole mass, (d) enable serial investigations order verify treatment-related hypoxia. Selection treatment cancer patients according their individual oxygenation/hypoxia for intensified and/or personalized hypoxia-targeted strategies should be ultimate goal.