Emerging targets for radioprotection and radiosensitization in radiotherapy

Abstract

Radiotherapy is the biggest force acting behind cancer treatment, yet the vast majority of patients get only modest benefit. The successive failure of targeted therapies in radiotherapy lies in the non-discriminative killing of both normal and cancer cells. However, there is still a reason for optimism due to recent advancement made in cancer biology which unrevealed many new deregulated pathways in cancer and their response towards drug and radiation. In this review, we comprehensively discussed novel and promising druggable target which can be exploited for tumor radiosensitization in addition to normal tissue radioprotection in radiotherapy, for better tumor controllability and patient quality of life. In the last part, we also discussed the radiation countermeasure agents in brief.

Emerging Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials for Cancer Radiation Therapy

“…[266,267] Specifically, the CeO 2 nanoparticles could catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in neutral environment in normal tissues, while within the acidic tumor microenvironment the catalytic activity of CeO 2 will be lost. [266,267] Specifically, the CeO 2 nanoparticles could catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in neutral environment in normal tissues, while within the acidic tumor microenvironment the catalytic activity of CeO 2 will be lost.…”

“…Cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) nanoparticles are able to scavenge free radical via changing the charge state on their surface. [266,267] Specifically, the CeO 2 nanoparticles could catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in neutral environment in normal tissues, while within the acidic tumor microenvironment the catalytic activity of CeO 2 will be lost. [266,267] Therefore, CeO 2 nanoparticles could effective protect the normal tissues from free radical damages caused by radiation.…”

“…[266,267] Specifically, the CeO 2 nanoparticles could catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in neutral environment in normal tissues, while within the acidic tumor microenvironment the catalytic activity of CeO 2 will be lost. [266,267] Therefore, CeO 2 nanoparticles could effective protect the normal tissues from free radical damages caused by radiation. Recently, cysteine-protected MoS 2 dots (sub-5 nm) showed high catalytic activities against ROS and were investigated as a radio-protector against ionizing radiation.…”

Enhancing the therapeutic effects of in vitro targeted radionuclide therapy of 3D multicellular tumor spheroids using the novel stapled MDM2/X-p53 antagonist PM2

“…By sensitizing the tumor prior to the imminent ionizing radiation, radiation doses can be lowered without compromising the level of damage to cancerous tissues. Similarly, potentiating the cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy through radiosensitization, the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy may be improved [13]. Compounds that target the DNA-damage response mechanisms initiated as a result of ionizing radiation are of particular interest for use in combination with radiotherapy [14,15].…”

Development and Characterization of VEGF165-Chitosan Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury in Rats

“…Radiation-induced skin injury is the most common complication, and late effects, which are the most severe, are characterized by subcutaneous fibrosis and morbidity [1,2]. Recent advances in cancer radiation biology resulted in the identification of new and promising targets for tumor radiosensitization in addition to normal tissue radioprotection in radiotherapy [3]. Growth factors have been used for a long time to rescue progenitor cells and hematopoietic cells following irradiation.…”