Immunosuppression by hypoxic cell radiosensitizers: a phenomenon of potential clinical importance

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(82)90180-8· OSTI ID:6714357

Rockwell, S; Kapp, D S

The nitroimidazoles metronidazole, misonidazol, and desmethyl misonidazole are currently undergoing clinical trials as possible adjuncts to radiotherapy. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the effectiveness of these agents and also documenting the pharmacokinetics and toxicities of radiosensitizing doses of these drugs in man. A variety of toxic effects have been noted in man, including anorexia, nausea and vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, central nervous system symptoms, ototoxicity, allergy, and fear. Laboratory studies have also suggested that these agents have potential to be mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic. In the editorial presented, the author attempts to draw attention to an additional toxic effect of nitroimidazoles - the inhibition of cell-mediated immune responses. (JMT)

• Research Organization: Yale Univ. School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
• OSTI ID: 6714357
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 8:6; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
560152 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALCOHOLS
ALLERGY
ANOREXIA
ANOXIA
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
AZOLES
DRUGS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IMIDAZOLES
IMMUNITY
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
INHIBITION
MEDICINE
METRONIDAZOLE
MISONIDAZOLE
NAUSEA
NITRO COMPOUNDS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHARMACOLOGY
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIZERS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY
TOXICITY
VOMITING