radiosensitiser

A radiosensitiser is a substance that increases the sensitivity of cancerous cells to radiation therapy. This means that a lower dose of radiation can be used to achieve the same therapeutic effect, or a higher effect can be achieved with the same dose. Radiosensitisers work by enhancing the damage caused by radiation to tumor cells, either by making the cells more susceptible to DNA damage or by hindering their ability to repair that damage.

There are several mechanisms by which radiosensitisers can operate. Some drugs, known as hypoxic cell radiosensitisers, specifically target tumor cells that have low oxygen levels (hypoxia). Hypoxic cells are notoriously resistant to radiation because oxygen is required for radiation to effectively cause DNA damage. These drugs mimic oxygen's role in sensitizing cells to radiation. Other radiosensitisers may work by interfering with the DNA repair pathways within cancer cells, leaving the radiation-induced damage unrepaired and leading to cell death.

Clinical use of radiosensitisers aims to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy, particularly for tumors that are traditionally resistant to treatment. By increasing the effectiveness of radiation, it may be possible to reduce the total radiation dose delivered, thereby minimizing side effects to surrounding healthy tissues. However, the use of radiosensitisers also presents challenges, including potential toxicity and the need for careful patient selection and treatment planning. Research continues to identify and develop new and more effective radiosensitising agents and strategies.