Use of nitric oxide-releasing compounds as hypoxic cell radiation sensitizers

摘要

The present invention provides a method for sensitizing hypoxic cells in a tumor to radiation, wherein nitric oxide is delivered to target hypoxic cells through the administration of a nitric oxide-containing compound that spontaneously releases nitric oxide under physiological conditions without requiring the presence of oxygen. Also provided are methods of protecting noncancerous cells or tissues in a mammal from radiation, sensitizing cancerous cells in a mammal to chemotherapeutic agents, and protecting noncancerous cells or tissues in a mammal from chemotherapeutic agents, all by administration of the same compounds.