Preclinical studies of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for pancreatic carcinoma.
The use of radiation therapy combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer has been well established. It has been hypothesized that any benefit from combined 5-FU and radiation has been due to radiosensitization. Improved therapy could result from a better understanding of the mechanism of radiosensitization and the development of compounds capable of providing better radiosensitization. This article reviews preclinical findings on the mechanism of cytotoxicity and radiosensitization for 5-FU, fluorodeoxyuridine, thymidine analogs, and gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) and discusses the clinical implications of these findings.
Robertson
J M
JM
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109, USA.
Shewach
D S
DS
Lawrence
T S
TS
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005467:Floxuridine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007065:Idoxuridine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D005467:Floxuridine; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D007065:Idoxuridine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine