Optimization of tumour therapy with ionizing radiations

The results of tumour therapy with ionizing radiation seem not to be optimal since the tumour cells are less damaged than the normal tissue due to the lack of oxygen and the tumour cells also are able to repair much of the radiation damage. From this reason in many countries the therapy using fast neutrons or negative pions is under investigation. These methods, however, are extremely expensive and therefore developping countries may not be able to perform such type of therpy during the next decades. Therefore it was investigated if it is possible to influence the energy metabolism of the tumour cells in such a way by antimetabolites (2-deoxy-D-glucose) that the same results are obtained as with densely ionizing particles. Experiments have been done with yeast cells as well as with mammalian cells (Ascites-tumour-cells) and with experimental tumours in animals. These experiments have shown that the expected results can be obtained. This research program will be continued as a bilateral research agreement with the All India Institute for Medical Sciences in the framework of a research program of the GSF. (orig.)