Radiosensitizer

These agents address low oxygen levels (hypoxia) in tumors, which can hinder radiation effectiveness.

[4] Nitroimidazoles: Mimic oxygen, enhancing free radical formation in hypoxic cells.

Solid tumors can outgrow their blood supply, causing a low-oxygen state known as hypoxia.

Oxygen is a potent radiosensitizer, increasing the effectiveness of a given dose of radiation by forming DNA-damaging free radicals.

[5] Much research has been devoted to overcoming this problem including the use of high pressure oxygen tanks, blood substitutes that carry increased oxygen, hypoxic cell radiosensitizers such as misonidazole and metronidazole, and hypoxic cytotoxins, such as tirapazamine.