The hypoxic tumor microenvironment: from imaging to targeting

A lack of oxygen caused by poorly formed blood vessels is a common phenomenon in tumours. These oxygen-poor (hypoxic) areas are less sensitive to existing anti-cancer therapies such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This dissertation has shown hypoxic areas in tumours by using PET imaging technology. The characteristics of three clinical hypoxia PET tracers were compared with each other in a preclinical tumour model. Next, the combination of a new drug specifically aimed at these hypoxic areas and radiation therapy was tested in a preclinical setting. The results being promising, a phase I study will be set up shortly to test this combined treatment on patients