title: [Radiosensitization of hypoxic tumor cells with special reference to head and neck cancers].
abstract: The radioresistance of hypoxic tumour cells may be the cause of recurrences in some clinical situations. In nearly all biological systems radiosensitivity is increased by a factor of 2 to 3 in the presence of oxygen. During a course of curative radiotherapy the process of reoxygenation occurs in most tumours. With the use of electron-affinic radiosensitizers of hypoxic cells the possibility exists to eliminate the disadvantage of insufficient reoxygenation of hypoxic cells. The current status of clinical studies using misonidazole in the treatment of head and neck carcinomas is discussed.
mesh_terms: D006207:Half-Life; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008920:Misonidazole / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D008920:Misonidazole
vernacular_title: Die Strahlensensibilisierung hypoxischer Tumorzellen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Karzinome des Kopf-Hals-Bereichs.