The potential for radiation sensitizers and possible strategy for use

The search for radiation sensitzers for use in radiotherapy is based on the assumption that proper use of these compounds will provide a differential sensitization of tumor and normal tissue. Based on the evidence that hypoxic cells exist within human tumors but not within normal cell populations, there is reason to believe that specific sensitizers of hypoxic cells might provide useful therapeutic benefit. This paper discusses the possible advantages of such sensitizers, over reliance on the phenomenon of reoxygenation, and describes very briefly the current status of hypoxic cell sensitizers. Finally a proposal is made concerning the way in which such sensitizers might be tested for their efficacy in human radiotherapy.