Review

Radiosensitizers in cervical cancer. Cisplatin and beyond

Myrna Candelaria¹ , Alicia Garcia-Arias¹ , Lucely Cetina¹ and Alfonso Dueñas-Gonzalez²

¹  Division of Clinical Research, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico

²  Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología/Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, UNAM, Mexico

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Radiation Oncology 2006, 1:15doi:10.1186/1748-717X-1-15

Published:	8 May 2006

Abstract

Cervical cancer continues to be a significant health burden worldwide. Globally, the majority of cancers are locally advanced at diagnosis; hence, radiation remains the most frequently used therapeutical modality. Currently, the value of adding cisplatin or cisplatin-based chemotherapy to radiation for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer is strongly supported by randomized studies and meta-analyses. Nevertheless, despite these significant achievements, therapeutic results are far from optimal; thus, novel therapies need to be assayed. A strategy currently being investigated is the use of newer radiosensitizers alone or in combination with platinum compounds. In the present work, we present preclinical information on known and newer cytotoxic agents as radiosensitizers on cervical cancer models, as well as the clinical information emanating from early phase trials that incorporate them to the cervical cancer management. In addition, we present the perspectives on the combined approach of radiation therapy and molecular target-based drugs with proven radiosensitizing capacity.