Radiotherapy Will Be Safer With A New Drug

The scientists from Pittsburgh Academy and the National Cancer Institute found the way to reduce the negative impact of radiation on healthy cells during radiotherapy. The radiation kills tumor cells, also causes severe undesirable effects such as nausea, rash and skin lesions, weakness and fatigue.

Scientists have found a biochemical signaling pathway that affects what happens to the cells under the forces of radiation. Blocking molecule thrombospondin-1, that is clamped to the cell receptor CD47, protects healthy tissue from radiation.

The experiments showed that the cells were remained viable meanwhile the suppression of the receptor reduced the tumors growth. Perhaps radiation reduces immune response to tumors, but the signaling pathway helps normal cells to survive.