Radiation Sensitizers

In spite of years of clinical research and trials of a variety of new and promising therapies, cancer remains as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Use of ionizing radiation in treatment of cancer quickly followed the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity at the dawn of the last century. The limited success of radiotherapy has been attributed to several factors if which the intrinsic radioresistance of tumor cells, their fast reproduction, and tumor hypoxia are the major causes. Radiation Sensitizers: A Contemporary Audit presents data on newer hypoxic cell sensitizers like senazole and deal with old molecules such as chlorpromazine in a new role of sensitization. Bringing together information scattered throughout published and unpublished literature, the book contains contributions from an international panel that examines new therapies and new uses of old therapies. It contains tables and diagrams that illustrate the concepts and make the information easy to find.

Radiosensitizers and Radiochemotherapy in the Treatment of Cancer catalogs and describes the mechanism of action for entities characterized as radiosensitizers. Developments in the biological and physical sciences have introduced new radiosensitizers and defined novel targets for radiosensitization. As a result, a book about radiosensitization must

In July 1979, the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Bologna received a proposal from Professor Breccia to hold an International Conference on "Nitroimidazoles: Chemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Application." Because of the great interest in these drugs in various fields, I was very pleased to accept the proposal and to give the conference the sponsorship of the University of Bologna. It was an added pleasure to accept the chairmanship of the meeting, together with Professors Sensi and Adams. At the same time, the Minister of Education approved a proposal which also came from the Faculty of Pharmacy, to offer an advanced course on the topic "Radiosensitizers of Hypoxic Cells This course was subsequently approved by a special Committee of the NATO Scientific Programme as an Advanced Study Institute. Since the subject matter of both the conference and the course are closely inter-related, it was logical to plan the conference as part of the overall course. Bringing together specialists from quite different and apparently unrelated fields of research, but all with an interest in the study and application of one single group of drugs, is a novel idea with intriguing possibilities. The volumes of the proceedings include contributions from experts with such diverse interests as synthetic chemistry, mechanism of drug action, parasitology, anaerobic bacteria and protozoa, pharmacology and toxicology, radiation sensitizers for use in radiotherapy, and the development of drugs for use in cancer in general.

Molecular Targeted Radiosensitizers: Opportunities and Challenges provides the reader with a comprehensive review of key pre-clinical research components required to identify effective radiosensitizing drugs. The book features discussions on the mechanisms and markers of clinical radioresistance, pre-clinical screening of targeted radiosensitizers, 3D radiation biology for studying radiosensitizers, in vivo determinations of local tumor control, genetically engineered mouse models for studying radiosensitizers, targeting the DNA damage response for radiosensitization, targeting tumor metabolism to overcome radioresistance, radiosensitizers in the era of immuno-oncology, and more. Additionally, the book features discussions on high-throughput drug screening, predictive biomarkers, pre-clinical tumor models, and the influence of the tumor microenvironment and the immune system, with a specific focus on the challenges radiation oncologists and medical oncologists currently face in testing radiosensitizers in human cancers. Edited by two acclaimed experts in radiation biology and radiosensitizers, with thirteen chapters contributed by experts, this new volume presents an in-depth look at current developments within a rapidly moving field, with a look at where the field will be heading and providing comprehensive insight into the framework of targeted radiosensitzer development. Essential reading for investigators in cancer research and radiation biology.

The thoroughly updated fifth edition of this landmark work has been extensively revised to better represent the rapidly changing field of radiation oncology and to provide an understanding of the many aspects of radiation oncology. This edition places greater emphasis on use of radiation treatment in palliative and supportive care as well as therapy.

This book describes and summarizes the radiation responses of both normal and neoplastic tissues with a focus on rational strategies for the modification of these responses. Emerging data from molecular oncology and radiobiology are reviewed in depth. The book covers not only general principles of radiation-induced reactions but also a large number of preclinical and clinical data that will guide the reader through this complex and dynamic field and will provide valuable information for the development of further research projects.