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Role of Gene Therapy in Radiation Oncology

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Advances in Radiation Therapy

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 93))

Abstract

Optimization of the treatment of neoplasms with radiation therapy can be achieved by reduction of the radiation sensitivity of surrounding normal tissues, or by enhancement of the tumoricidal effects of radiation. Both strategies are best illustrated by the therapeutic ratio, which is the ratio of the probability of tumor control to the probability of normal tissue injury (Figure 7-1). The therapeutic ratio can be improved by localizing a radiation-sensitizing agent to the tumor and not to normal tissue. An alternative approach is to localize a radioprotective agent to the normal tissues while avoiding administration of this protector to the tumor cells. The physical characteristics of ionizing radiation allow for spatial definition and limitation of the irradiated volume. X-rays allow for penetration into deep tissues and precise localized ionization of tissues. Because radiation therapy is a localized treatment modality, localizing a radiation-sensitizing agent to the neoplasm and/or localizing a radioprotecting agent to the surrounding normal tissues are both means of optimizing the therapeutic ratio in radiation oncology.

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Hallahan, D.E., Weichselbaum, R. (1998). Role of Gene Therapy in Radiation Oncology. In: Mittal, B.B., Purdy, J.A., Ang, K.K. (eds) Advances in Radiation Therapy. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 93. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5769-2_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5769-2_7

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