M e s o t h e l i o m a

Radiosensitizers and radioprotectors are chemicals that modify a cell’s response to radiation. Radiosensitizers are drugs that make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation therapy. Several compounds are under study as radiosensitizers. In addition, some anticancer drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy.
Radioprotectors (also called radioprotectants) are drugs that protect normal (noncancerous) cells from the damage caused by radiation therapy. These agents promote the repair of normal cells that are exposed to radiation. Amifostine (trade name Ethyol®) is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a radioprotector. It helps to reduce the dry mouth that can occur if the parotid glands (which help to produce saliva and are located near the ear) receive a large dose of radiation. Additional studies are under way to determine whether amifostine is effective when used with radiation therapy to treat other types of cancer. Other compounds are also under study as radioprotectors.