Translating targeted radiosensitizers into the clinic

Abstract

Radiation therapy is commonly used in the curative treatment of cancer. Despite recent progress in the techniques of radiation delivery and treatment, local recurrence after radiation remains a pressing clinical concern. A growing capacity to molecularly profile tumors, coupled with the development of biologics and small molecules that target aspects of signal transduction crucial to tumor cell survival after irradiation, has led to the identification of a number of agents that have radiation sensitizing efficacy in preclinical models. Developing clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of radiosensitizers integrated with the current standard of care presents many challenges. Herein, we review aspects of clinical trial development with radiation therapy regimens integrating radiosensitizers.