title: Altering the response to radiation: sensitizers and protectors.
abstract: A number of agents are used clinically to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy today, many of which are cytotoxic chemotherapies. Agents that enhance radiation induced tumor cell killing or protect normal tissues from the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation are collectively termed radiation modifiers. A significant effort in radiobiological research is geared towards describing and testing radiation modifiers with the intent of enhancing the therapeutic effects of radiation while minimizing normal tissue toxicity. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of these agents, the testing required to translate these agents into clinical trials, and highlight some challenges in these efforts.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Branch and Radiation Biology Branch of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD. Electronic address: citrind@mail.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Deborah E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Citrin
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Branch and Radiation Biology Branch of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents