Exploiting the hypoxic cancer cell: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
JM Brown - Molecular medicine today, 2000 - cell.com
Molecular medicine today, 2000•cell.com
Human solid tumours are considerably less well oxygenated than normal tissues. This leads
to resistance to radiotherapy and anticancer chemotherapy, as well as predisposing to
increased tumour metastases. However, tumour hypoxia can be exploited in cancer
treatment. One such strategy is to use drugs that are toxic only under hypoxic conditions,
and the first drug of this class to enter clinical testing, tirapazamine, is showing considerable
promise. The second way to exploit hypoxia is to take advantage of the selective induction of …
to resistance to radiotherapy and anticancer chemotherapy, as well as predisposing to
increased tumour metastases. However, tumour hypoxia can be exploited in cancer
treatment. One such strategy is to use drugs that are toxic only under hypoxic conditions,
and the first drug of this class to enter clinical testing, tirapazamine, is showing considerable
promise. The second way to exploit hypoxia is to take advantage of the selective induction of …
Abstract
Human solid tumours are considerably less well oxygenated than normal tissues. This leads to resistance to radiotherapy and anticancer chemotherapy, as well as predisposing to increased tumour metastases. However, tumour hypoxia can be exploited in cancer treatment. One such strategy is to use drugs that are toxic only under hypoxic conditions, and the first drug of this class to enter clinical testing, tirapazamine, is showing considerable promise. The second way to exploit hypoxia is to take advantage of the selective induction of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) under hypoxic conditions; gene therapy strategies based on this are in development.
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