-5-Phenoxysulphonyl-l-methyl-4-nitroimidazole (NSC 38087) can act as a sensitizer of hypoxic mammalian cells to radiation in vitro. The degree of sensitization achieved is greater than would be predicted from the drug's electron affinity. Cytotoxicity studies have shown that 5pM NSC 38087 can reduce the surviving fraction of log-phase V79 cells in air at 37°C to 10-2 after 2 h exposure. This to...

Radiotherapy is the most common treatment of cancer. It is also practised in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Although many cases are successfully treated, failures in local control do occur and even a modest improvement in the relative radiosensitivity of tumour cells would result in a substantial therapeutic gain. In addition, the presently practised fractionated dose schedule ...

The new bioreductive drug 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxide (SR 4233) shows a high selective cytotoxicity for hypoxic cells, both in vitro and in tumors in vivo. In the present experiments, we have tested the hypothesis that this selective killing of hypoxic cells might be exploited by taking advantage of the fluctuating hypoxia in tumors by use of a multidose regimen of SR 4233 with mult...

Cervical cancer continues to be a significant health burden worldwide. Globally, the majority of cancers are locally advanced at diagnosis; hence, radiation remains the most frequently used therapeutical modality. Currently, the value of adding cisplatin or cisplatin-based chemotherapy to radiation for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer is strongly supported by randomized studies and...

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive intracranial tumor characterized by local and distant brain relapse despite aggressive therapy. Current standard treatment includes surgical resection followed by radiation with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide as part of a combined modality approach. In this review, the historical basis for the current standard treatment is discussed as well a...

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of anovulatory infertility. Treatment modes available are numerous. The use of anti-obesity medications such as orlistat or insulin sensitizing agents such as metformin is sometimes indicated in these patients. We aimed to compare the effect of metformin vs orlistat on the hormone, lipid profile &ovulation status in obese PCOS ...

Dose-escalated radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer (PCa) has a clear therapeutic benefit; however, escalated doses may also increase injury to noncancerous tissues. Radiosensitizing agents can improve ionizing radiation (IR) potency, but without targeted delivery, these agents will also sensitize surrounding normal tissues. Here we describe the development of prostate-targeted RNAi ...

Alkylating agents, such as temozolomide, are among the most effective cytotoxic agents used for malignant gliomas, but responses remain very poor. The DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) plays an important role in cellular resistance to alkylating agents. IFN-beta can act as a drug sensitizer, enhancing toxicity against a variety of neoplasias, and is widely used in...

Prostaglandins sensitize sensory neurons to activation by mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli. This sensitization also results in an increase in the stimulus-evoked release of the neuroactive peptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide from sensory neurons. The cellular transduction cascade underlying the prostaglandin-induced augmentation of peptide release is not known. The...