The paradox role of caspase cascade in ionizing radiation therapy. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahmanian, Najmeh; Hosseinimehr, Seyed; Khalaj, Ali
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomedical science. Volume 23:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Caspase -- Radiotherapy -- Cancer -- Treatment -- Induction; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0306-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1021-7770

Abstract

Abstract Radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy/surgery is widely used for treatment of cancers. It reduces tumor growth and prevents metastasis. While ionizing radiation activates caspase cascade resulted in apoptosis in cancer cells, it also stimulates tumor cell re-population that leads to reduce the effectiveness of the radiation therapy. This review describes the mechanisms for paradox role of caspase cascade in cancer therapy and discusses the logical and practical strategies for improvement the therapeutic index of radiotherapy through enhancement of radiosensitivity and decreasing the rate of tumor recurrence.