Chapter 9 - Radioprotectors

Summary
Radioprotectors are chemicals that reduce the biologic effect of
radiation.
Mechanism of action of radioprotection is the scavenging of free
radicals to prevent normal tissue damage
Based on the biology of the response of the tissues to irradiation,
radiation protection approaches can be categorized as prophylaxis,
mitigation or treatment.
Amifostine remains the only agent currently in clinical use as a
radioprotector. Most other agents are predominantly experimental.
A number of other candidate compounds will be tested in future
years as a way to reduce radiation induced normal tissue toxicity
and complications.
Most promising, with first clinical studies, are the interaction with
growth factor signaling, and treatment with stem cell therapy