Long-Term Administration of a Small Molecular Weight Catalytic Metalloporphyrin Antioxidant AEOL 10150 Protects Lungs From Radiation-Induced Injury

Abstract

Purpose/Objective: Radiation therapy is an important therapeutic modality in the treatment of several thoracic tumors. Though tumor control is best obtained with higher doses of radiation, clinical dosing protocols are often limited by the radiation tolerance of normal tissues. We have previously demonstrated that following RT, there is a prolonged generation of reactive oxygen species several months after the initial exposure, which correlates with persistent RT-induced damage. Furthermore, we have shown that chronic overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in transgenic mice confers protection against RT-induced lung injury.