On creating targets in DNA designed to be 'hot spots' for radiation damage

X-rays appear to kill cells by causing strand breaks in DNA that lead to lethal chromosome abnormalities at mitosis. Recently, there has been considerable progress in the development of DNA binding ligands that interact selectively with defined nucleotide sequences and also with the chemistry and biology of radio-sensitising agents. The author discusses the possibility of combining sequence selective ligands with suitable chemical groups to generate compounds whose localisation in discrete positions on the genome may result in increased radiation damage at these points. Such compounds may have the potential to enhance selectively radiation damage to tumour tissues. (author)