Improving the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy by targeting the DNA damage response

Carruthers, R. and Chalmers, A. J. (2017) Improving the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy by targeting the DNA damage response. In: Tofilon, P. J. and Camphausen, K. (eds.) Increasing the Therapeutic Ratio of Radiotherapy. Series: Cancer drug discovery and development. Humana Press: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 1-34. ISBN 9783319408521 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-40854-5_1)

Abstract

In recent decades, technological advances in radiotherapy delivery have allowed dose escalation or reduction of toxicity for radiotherapy regimens used to treat several major tumour sites. However, tumour radioresistance remains a significant clinical problem. Although it is well established that the major biological effects of ionising radiation are mediated through DNA damage, our knowledge of the biological processes influencing tumour response to radiation is still relatively basic. It is known that tumour cells repair the vast majority of potentially lethal DNA damage inflicted by ionising radiation and that the cellular response to DNA damage is a major determinant of tumour radiosensitivity. Manipulation of tumour DNA damage repair mechanisms to modify the radiobiological response of malignant cells is therefore a very appealing idea with the potential to greatly amplify the therapeutic effects of radiation therapy.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Carruthers, Dr Ross and Chalmers, Professor Anthony
• Authors: Carruthers, R., and Chalmers, A. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Publisher: Humana Press
• ISSN: 2196-9906
• ISBN: 9783319408521