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Review
. 2024 Apr 16:26:e14.
doi: 10.1017/erm.2024.15.

Novel radiation and targeted therapy combinations for improving rectal cancer outcomes

Kathryn Pennel  1 , Louise Dutton  1 , Lydia Melissourgou-Syka  1   2 , Campbell Roxburgh  1   3 , Joanna Birch  1 , Joanne Edwards  1
Affiliations
Review

Novel radiation and targeted therapy combinations for improving rectal cancer outcomes

Kathryn Pennel et al. Expert Rev Mol Med. .

Abstract

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is commonly used as standard treatment for rectal cancer. However, response rates are variable and survival outcomes remain poor, highlighting the need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Research is focused on identifying novel methods for sensitising rectal tumours to RT to enhance responses and improve patient outcomes. This can be achieved through harnessing tumour promoting effects of radiation or preventing development of radio-resistance in cancer cells. Many of the approaches being investigated involve targeting the recently published new dimensions of cancer hallmarks. This review article will discuss key radiation and targeted therapy combination strategies being investigated in the rectal cancer setting, with a focus on exploitation of mechanisms which target the hallmarks of cancer.

Keywords: combination therapy; hallmarks of cancer; radiation; radio-sensitisation; rectal cancer; synergy; targeted therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Hallmark mechanisms associated with resistance to radiation and associated potential targeted therapies to overcome this.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Cell signalling pathways collaborate to induce resistance to RT.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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