Abstract
The rationale of combining a chemotherapeutic agent with radiation therapy can be on one of two hypotheses:
-
1.
Agents like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or 5-bromodeoxyuridine (5-BUdR) have been shown to be radiation sensitizers (Bagshaw, 1961; Berry and Andrews, 1962; Bosch et al., 1958; Djordjevic and Szybalski, 1960, Kaplan et al., 1961, 1962; Vermund, 1961). The limiting factor in the effectiveness of such a sensitizing agent is the fraction of cells which can be affected by the agent. Furthermore, as the agent also sensitizes normal cells, clinical usefulness depends on the fraction of tumor cells which are sensitized versus the fraction of normal cells sensitized in the volume of tissue irradiated.
-
2.
Alkylating agents or antimetabolites like methotrexate are cytotoxic agents producing shrinkage of tumors but are not radiation sensitizers. The rationale of the combination of chemotherapy with such an agent prior to irradiation is based on the following radiobiological facts.
This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Research Grant Nos. CA-06294 and CA-05654 from the National Cancer Institute.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bagshaw, M. A., Some experimental evidence for clinical enhancement of radiation response in vitro. In: Research in radiotherapy; Approaches to chemical sensitization p. 138–149 (Kallman, R. F., ed.), Nuclear Science Series, Report No 35. Washington, D. C.: National Academy of Sciences; National Research Council; Publ. No 888 (1961).
Berry, R. J., and Andrews, J. R., Modification of radiaton effect on reproductive capacity of tumor cells in vivo with pharmological agents. Radiat. Res. 16, 82–88 1962 ).
Bosch, L., Harbers, E., and Heidelberger, C., Studies on fluorinated pyrimidines; V. Effects on nucleic acid metabolism in vitro. Cancer Res. 18, 335–343 (1958).
Djordjevic, B., and Szybalski, W., Genetics of human cell lines. Iii. Incorporation of 5-bromo- and 5-iododeoxyuridine into deoxyribonucleic acid of human cells and its effect on radiation sensitivity. J. exp. med. 112, 509–531 (1960).
Fletcher, G. H., Suit, H. D., Howe, C. D., Samuels, M., Jesse jr. R. H., and Villa-Real, R. U., Clinical method of testing radiation-sensitizing agents in squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer (Philad.) 16, 355–363 (1963).
Howe, C. D. Fletcher, G. H., Samuels, M. L., and Surr, H. D., Combined 5-fluorouracil and cobalt irradiation evaluted by double blind technique. Acta Un. in Canc. 20, 400–403 (1964).
Kaplan, H. S., Smith, K. C., and Tomlin, P. A., Radiosensitization of E. coli by purine and pyrimidine analogues incorporated in deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature (Lond.) 190, 794–796 (1961).
Kaplan, H. S., Smith, K. C., and Tomlin, P. A. Effect of halogenated pyrimidines on radiosensitivity of E. coli. Radiat. Res. 16, 98–113 (1962).
Powers, W. E., Radiation biologic considerations and practical investigations in preoperative radiation therapy. J. Canad. Ass. Radiol. 16, 217–225 (1965).
Suit, H. D., Lindberg, R. D., and Fletcher, G. H., Prognostic significance of extent of tumor regression at completion of radiation therapy. Radiology 84, 1100–1107 (1965).
Suit, H. D., Wette, R., and Lindberg, R., Analysis of tumor recurrence time. Publication pending 1966.
Vermund, H., Clinical experiences with 5fluorouracil and related compounds in combination with radiotherapy. In: Research in radiotherapy; Approaches to chemical sensitization, p. 185–192 (Kallman, R. F., ed.) Nuclear Science Series, Report No 35. Washington, D. C.: National Academy of Sciences; National Research Council; Publ. No 888 (1961).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1967 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Fletcher, G.H. et al. (1967). Chemotherapy as an Adjuvant to Radiotherapy. In: Harris, R.J.C. (eds) Proceedings of the 9th International Cancer Congress. UICC Monograph Series, vol 10. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-12796-4_34
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-12796-4_34
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-12798-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-12796-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive