title: 4-Thiothymidine sensitization of DNA to UVA offers potential for a novel photochemotherapy.
abstract: Photochemotherapy, in which ultraviolet radiation (UVR: 280-400 nm) or visible light is combined with a photosensitizing drug to produce a therapeutic effect that neither drug or radiation can achieve alone, is a proven therapeutic strategy for a number of non-malignant hyperproliferative skin conditions and various cancers. Examples are psoralen plus UVA (320-400 nm) radiation (PUVA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). All existing photochemotherapies have drawbacks - for example the association of PUVA with the development of skin cancer, and pain that is often associated with PDT treatment of skin lesions. There is a clear need to develop alternative approaches that involve lower radiation doses and/or improved selectivity for target cells. In this review, we explore the possibility to address this need by exploiting thionucleoside-mediated DNA photosensitisation to low, non toxic doses of UVA radiation.
authors: King's College London, King's College London School of Medicine, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, St John's Institute of Dermatology, London, UK SE19RT. olivier.reelfs@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Reelfs
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Karran
authors: Antony R
authors: AR
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000528:radiation effects; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D013936:Thymidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: C414668:4-thiothymidine; D004247:DNA; D013936:Thymidine