radiosensitising

Radiosensitising refers to any agent or technique that increases the susceptibility of cells or tissues to the damaging effects of ionizing radiation. This is often a desirable outcome in cancer therapy, where radiation is used to kill tumor cells. By making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation, doctors can use lower doses or achieve a greater killing effect, potentially reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

There are several categories of radiosensitisers. Chemical radiosensitisers are compounds that can be administered to patients. Some of these work by mimicking oxygen, which is a potent radiosensitiser itself. Hypoxic (low oxygen) tumor cells are notoriously resistant to radiation. Other chemical agents can interact with DNA or cellular repair mechanisms, making them more vulnerable to radiation-induced damage.

Physical methods can also be considered radiosensitising. For example, hyperthermia, or raising the temperature of the tumor, can enhance the effectiveness of radiation. This is thought to occur through several mechanisms, including increased blood flow to the tumor and impaired DNA repair. More recently, advancements in radiation delivery techniques, such as precisely targeting tumors with high doses, can also be viewed as a form of radiosensitisation by concentrating the radiation's effect where it is most needed.

The goal of radiosensitisation is to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiation therapy, meaning the balance between killing cancer cells and sparing normal tissues. Research continues to identify and develop more effective and specific radiosensitising agents and strategies.