Radiation therapy (RT) is used to treat locally advanced cancer in many organ sites, especially primary tumors that are nonresectable. The combination of RT with standard chemotherapeutic agents (chemoRT) has improved clinical outcomes by both controlling local and micrometastatic disease. ChemoRT has become a standard treatment for many locally advanced cancers. However, toxicity to normal tissue and cancer cell resistance mechanisms limit the effectiveness of these combinations. Many pathways for cancer cell radiation resistance have been identified and may now be targeted with new therapeutic agents. The ability of targeted therapies to selectively increase cancer cells', but not normal tissues', sensitivity to chemoRT will improve clinical outcomes. The Molecularly Targeted Radiosensitization of Locally Advanced Cancers Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) focuses on targeting major mechanisms of radiation resistance in three different locally advanced cancers: pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and breast cancer. This is the first thematic SPORE focused on radiation therapy.
Government Funding Lapse
Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.
Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.
The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.
Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.
