Combined modality therapy of gemcitabine and radiation.
The combination of gemcitabine and radiotherapy is a promising combined modality therapy. However, the clinical application of this combination has to be implemented carefully because of an increased toxicity to normal tissues. A body of experimental evidence shows that gemcitabine is a potent radiosensitizer in vitro and in vivo. The observations so far indicate that various mechanisms are responsible for the radiosensitizing effect. Although it is often difficult to transfer experimental data to the clinic, these studies offer the possibility to develop an improved schedule of administration for patient treatment, based on rational evidence in tumor biology. In the current review, the preclinical data that support the use of gemcitabine as a radiosensitizing agent and the clinical trials that have been conducted to date are summarized.
Pauwels
Bea
B
Laboratory of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. bea.pauwels@ua.ac.be
Korst
Annelies E C
AE
Lardon
Filip
F
Vermorken
Jan B
JB
D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012377:Rodentia; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D004247:DNA; D000093542:Gemcitabine