New concepts and substances for radiosensitization [Neue konzepte und substanzen zur radiosensibilisierung]

A tremendous effort in basic and translational radiobiological research exists to identify new treatment modalities using ionizing radiation in combination with novel anticancer agents. Ionizing radiation not only damages DNA, but also affects multiple cellular components that induce a multi-layered stress response. These treatment responses can be restricted to the individual cell level but could also be part of an intercellular stress communication network. Both DNA damage induced signaling (which results in cell cycle arrest and the induction of the DNA repair machinery) and also ionizing radiation induced signal transduction cascades, which are generated at cellular sites distant from and independent of DNA damage, represent interesting targets for anticancer treatment modalities for sensitization to ionizing radiation. In this review, we describe current approaches for sensitizing tumor cells with novel anticancer agents along the lines of the classical 4 R's of radiobiology. © 2007 Springer Medizin Verlag.