Irradiation Plus 5-Fluorouracil: Cellular Mechanisms of Action and Treatment Schedules.
The use of external irradiation and 5-fluorouracil continues because of the proven benefits of this combination in the treatment of a variety of human malignancies. There are probably several mechanisms of action on the cellular level that account for radiation sensitization. One main feature of both laboratory and applied clinical research in this area is the apparent superiority of prolonged exposure of this S-phase cytotoxic agent when administered with fractionated irradiation. Also reviewed here are schedules using protracted infusional chemoradiation with this agent that are being tested in ongoing clinical trials.
Rich
TA
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA