Hypoxia in head and neck cancer

Br J Radiol. 2006 Oct;79(946):791-8. doi: 10.1259/bjr/17904358. Epub 2006 Jul 19.

Abstract

A high level of hypoxia in solid tumours is an adverse prognostic factor for the poor outcome of cancer patients following treatment. This review describes the status of research into finding a practical method for measuring hypoxia and treating hypoxic tumours. The application of such methodology would enable the selection of head and neck cancer treatment based on an individual's tumour oxygenation status. This individualization would include the selection not only of surgery or radiotherapy, but also of novel hypoxia-modification strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cell Hypoxia*
  • Comet Assay
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / analysis
  • Microelectrodes
  • Nitroimidazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Oxygen / administration & dosage
  • Oxygen / analysis
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Biomarkers
  • Hemoglobins
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Nitroimidazoles
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1
  • Oxygen