Abstract
AMONG the substances that have been found to sensitize cells to the lethal effects of X-rays are the sulphydryl-binding agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)1–3, and the stable soluble organic free radical di-t-butyl nitroxide (DTBH)4–6. It is of particular interest that these substances have been found to sensitize bacteria more when they are anoxic than in the presence of oxygen. It is also known that malignant tumours frequently contain a disordered blood supply and that certain tumours may contain groups of viable cells in which the oxygen concentration is very low. Such cells would be protected against X-rays by anoxia, and might serve as foci for the re-growth or recurrence of the tumour after X-ray treatment7–10.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bridges, B. A., Nature, 188, 415 (1960).
Lynch, J. P., and Howard-Flanders, P., Nature, 194, 1247 (1962).
Johansen, I., and Howard-Flanders, P., Radiat. Res., 24, 184 (1965).
Emmerson, P. T., and Howard-Flanders, P., Nature, 204, 1005 (1964).
Emmerson, P. T., and Howard-Flanders, P., Radiat. Res., 26, 54 (1965).
Hoffmann, A. K., and Henderson, A. T., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 83, 4671 (1961).
Thomlinson, R. H., Brit. J. Cancer, 14, 555 (1961).
Thomlinson, R. H., and Gray, L. H., Brit. J. Cancer, 9, 539 (1955).
Cater, D. B., and Silver, J. A., Acta Radiol. Stockh., 53, Fasc. 3, 233 (1960).
Kaplan, H. S., Amer. J. Radiol. Roentgenol., 90, 907 (1963).
Levintow, L., and Eagle, H., Adv. Enzymol., 5, 77 (1961).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KLÍMEK, M. Toxicity of N-Ethylmaleimide and Di-t-butyl Nitroxide Radiosensitizers towards HeLa S 3 Cells in a Single Cell Culture. Nature 209, 1256–1257 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2091256a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2091256a0
This article is cited by
-
Synthesis and antitumor properties of new platinum(IV) complexes with aminonitroxyl radicals
Russian Chemical Bulletin (2006)
-
Stable esters and amides of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-l-oxyl-4-piperidine with carboxylic acids
Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR Division of Chemical Science (1968)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
