Hypoxia and its therapeutic possibilities in paediatric cancers.

ABSTRACT: In tumours, hypoxia-a condition in which the demand for oxygen is higher than its availability-is well known to be associated with reduced sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and with immunosuppression. The consequences of hypoxia on tumour biology and patient outcomes have therefore led to the investigation of strategies that can alleviate hypoxia in cancer cells, with the aim of sensitising cells to treatments. An alternative therapeutic approach involves the design of prodrugs that are activated by hypoxic cells. Increasing evidence indicates that hypoxia is not just clinically significant in adult cancers but also in paediatric cancers. We evaluate relevant methods to assess the levels and extent of hypoxia in childhood cancers, including novel imaging strategies such as oxyg

SUBMITTER: Bernauer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7851391 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature