Protection of normal cells and tissues during radio- and chemosensitization of tumors by 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

Normal tissue toxicity is one of the major limiting factors in cancer therapy. Damage to normal tissues and critical organs restricts the use of higher therapeutic doses thereby compromising the efficacy. The glucose analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), an inhibitor of glycolytic ATP production has been shown to enhance radiation- and chemotherapeutic drug-induced damage in a number of cancer cells under in vitro and in vivo conditions while sparing or protecting normal cells. This review summarizes current understanding on the protection of normal cells and tissues against radiation- and chemotherapeutic drug-induced damage by 2-DG that makes this glucose analog an ideal adjuvant in cancer therapy.