What is cytotoxic hypoxia?

Tirapazamine. The development of hypoxic radiosensitizers led to that of hypoxic cytotoxins, also known as bioreductive drugs. These are agents that can sensitize a solid tumor to radiotherapy or to chemotherapy by killing, rather than sensitizing, the resistant hypoxic cells.

What are Bioreductive drugs?

Bioreductive drugs are inactive prodrugs that are converted into potent cytotoxins under conditions of either low oxygen tension or in the presence of high levels of specific reductases.

What are the four types of hypoxia?

Hypoxia is actually divided into four types: hypoxic hypoxia, hypemic hypoxia, stagnant hypoxia, and histotoxic hypoxia.

What is meant by cytotoxic drug?

Cytotoxic drugs (sometimes known as antineoplastics) describe a group of medicines that contain chemicals which are toxic to cells, preventing their replication or growth, and so are used to treat cancer. They can also be used to treat a number of other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

How does hypoxia develop?

Hypoxia is a state in which oxygen is not available in sufficient amounts at the tissue level to maintain adequate homeostasis; this can result from inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues either due to low blood supply or low oxygen content in the blood (hypoxemia).

What are the types of hypoxia?

Hypoxia is actually divided into four types: hypoxic hypoxia, hypemic hypoxia, stagnant hypoxia, and histotoxic hypoxia. No matter what the cause or type of hypoxia you experience, the symptoms and effects on your flying skills are basically the same.

Are bioreductive drugs the future of cancer treatment?

Bioreductive drugs, as an adjunct to any cancer treatment, could potentially fulfil this need. For any bioreductive drug to be effective it will, by definition, require hypoxia, which is primarily found in tumours, and an enzyme (or enzymes) capable of reducing the drug to a cytotoxic species.

What is adjuvant therapy for cancer?

Adjuvant therapy given before the main treatment is called neoadjuvant therapy. This type of adjuvant therapy can also decrease the chance of the cancer coming back, and it’s often used to make the primary treatment — such as an operation or radiation treatment — easier or more effective.

What are bioreductively activated drugs used for?

Purpose: Bioreductively activated drugs have been used as antimicrobials, chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation sensitizers. The present paper is an overview of their mechanism of action and application in the treatment of cancer.

What is adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy?

This type of adjuvant therapy can also decrease the chance of the cancer coming back, and it’s often used to make the primary treatment — such as an operation or radiation treatment — easier or more effective. Adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy can cause significant side effects, and these treatments don’t benefit everyone.