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The synergistic effects of traditional Chinese herbs and radiotherapy for cancer treatment
- Source :
- Oncology Letters
- Publication Year :
- 2013
- Publisher :
- D.A. Spandidos, 2013.
-
Abstract
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been demonstrated to have potent cytotoxic activity against certain malignant tumors. Ionizing radiation (IR) is one of the most effective methods used in the clinical treatment of cancer. The drawback of a single formula is that it limits the treatment efficacy for cancer, while comprehensive strategies require additional theoretical support. However, a combination of different antitumor treatment modalities is advantageous in restricting the non-specific toxicity often observed with an extremely high dose of a single regimen. The induction of apoptotic cell death is a significant process in tumor cells following radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and resistance to these treatments has been linked to a low propensity for apoptosis. Autophagy is a response of cancer cells to IR or chemotherapy, and involves the prominent formation of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm. In this review, the synergistic effects of TCM and radiotherapy are summarized and the underlying mechanisms are illustrated, providing new therapeutic strategies for cancer.
- Subjects :
- Cancer Research
Pathology
medicine.medical_specialty
Chemotherapy
autophagy
Oncogene
business.industry
medicine.medical_treatment
apoptosis
Cancer
Traditional Chinese medicine
Review
medicine.disease
Molecular medicine
cancer treatment
Radiation therapy
Regimen
traditional Chinese medicine
Oncology
Cancer cell
medicine
Cancer research
radiosensitization
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17921082 and 17921074
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Oncology Letters
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e1ecfcd13b253cebb8e000b0a906316b