Abstract
Solid malignancies are supported by abnormal, deficient vascular beds. Transient and chronic interruptions in blood flow subject some regions in solid tumors to a range of environmental deficiencies, including severe hypoxia. Because 02 is a potent radiosensitizer. hypoxic tumor cells are resistant to radiation and limit the response of tumors to single doses of radiation, fractionated radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. Perfluorochemical emulsions (PFC-E) offer an effective approach for transporting 02 at high partial pressures and delivering 02 to tumor regions which would otherwise be hypoxic. Appropriate combinations of PFC-E and 02, carbogen, or hyperbaric oxygen improve tumor oxygenation, assessed by microelectrodes. 31P-MRS, cytochrome aa3 oxidation, or hemoglobin saturation, and produce concomitant changes in tumor radiosensitivity. A variety of PFC-E, with different formulations, improve the response of experimental tumors to radiation, without compromising the radiation tolerance of critical normal tissues. These studies suggest that adequately intensive regimens using appropriate PFC-E as adjuncts to radiotherapy could improve the treatment of patients with cancer.
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