Challenges of ionizing radiation in tumor treatment and role of angiogenesis
Das, S.K.
Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics 51(6): 527-530
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1208 PMID: 25823226 Document Number: 671719
Ionizing radiation is a non-specific, but most widely used therapeutic method for cancer treatment. However, a minor fraction of tumor cell population manages to survive after radiation. Radiation efficacy depends on adequate oxygen supply. Rapid growing tumors cause hypoxia that upregulates many pro-survival pathways. At clinical doses, radiation activates inflammatory pathways and causes oxidative stress that plays a positive role during angiogenesis. Selective targeting of signaling mechanisms may radiosensitize tumors.