Chronic Hypoxia and Tumor Cell Response to Radiation
Author Information
Author(s): Berge D L Van den, Ridder M De, Verovski V N, Janssens M Y, Monsaert C, Storme G A
Primary Institution: Cancer Research Unit, Academic Hospital Free University Brussels, Oncology Center
Hypothesis
Chronic hypoxia may enhance tumor cell radioresponse through the cytokine-inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway.
Conclusion
Chronic hypoxia can increase tumor cell sensitivity to radiation by up-regulating nitric oxide production.
Supporting Evidence
- Chronic hypoxia increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in tumor cells.
- Low concentrations of cytokines in low oxygen significantly enhanced nitric oxide production.
- Hypoxic conditions led to a 1.8-fold increase in radiosensitization of tumor cells.
Takeaway
When tumors are in low oxygen, they can become more sensitive to radiation treatment, which might help doctors treat cancer better.
Methodology
The study examined the effects of chronic hypoxia on mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in EMT-6 tumor cells exposed to specific cytokines.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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