Augmenting the therapeutic window of radiotherapy: A perspective on molecularly targeted therapies and nanomaterials.

ABSTRACT: Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of modern cancer therapy alongside surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, with over half of all cancer patients receiving radiation therapy as part of their treatment regimen. Development of novel radiation sensitizers that can improve the therapeutic window of radiation therapy are sought after, particularly for tumors at an elevated risk of local and regional recurrence such as locally-advanced lung, head and neck, and gastrointestinal tumors. This review discusses clinical strategies to enhance radiotherapy efficacy and decrease toxicity, hence, increasing the overall therapeutic window. A focus is given to the molecular targets that have been identified and their associated mechanisms of action in enhancing radiotherapy. Examples include cell survi

SUBMITTER: Reda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8493937 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature