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Molecular targets for potentiation of radiation-induced cell killing

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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.

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Abbreviations

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

Erk:

Extracellular-regulated kinase

EGFR:

Epidermal growth factor receptor

RTK:

Receptor tyrosine kinase receptors

FTI:

Farnesyltransferase inhibitor

3DCRT:

3 Dimensional conformai radiation therapy

IMRT:

Intensity modulated radiation therapy

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

IR:

Ionizing radiation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi,Maebashi, 371-8511, Gunma, Japan

    Tetsuo Akimoto

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  1. Tetsuo Akimoto
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Correspondence to Tetsuo Akimoto.

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Akimoto, T. Molecular targets for potentiation of radiation-induced cell killing. Breast Cancer 11, 121–128 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02968290

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02968290

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