title: Molecular targets for potentiation of radiation-induced cell killing.
abstract: Molecular target-based drugs have been emerging as a cancer treatment. Clinical trials using the combined approach of radiation therapy and molecular target-based drugs have been performed to evaluate the feasibility of this approach, and improve the response of tumors to radiation. To achieve maximum radiotherapeutic gain, understanding of the interaction of radiation and drugs are indispensable. Preclinical data have already demonstrated synergistic enhancement of radiation-induced cell killing by several molecular target-based drugs. Among these, the effect of drugs that target receptor tyrosine kinase and its signal transduction pathways on radiosensitivity has been intensively investigated. In this review, established and potential molecular targets for potentiation of radiation-induced cell killing are summarized, and preclinical data regarding investigations of new molecular targets for radiosensitization will be introduced. In addition, the results and toxicities of clinical trials using combined radiation therapy and molecular target-based drugs are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan. takimoto@showa.gunma-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akimoto
mesh_terms: D016923:Cell Death; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents