Factors associated with radiosensitivity of cervical cancer.

Radiation therapy plays a critical role in women with advanced-stage cervical cancer worldwide, particularly in developing countries, and most of the time it may be the only available treatment. The efficacy of radiation largely depends on the radiosensitivity of the tumor. The high radiation dose associated with therapy for cervical cancer may have severe side-effects and low-dose radiation has little effect on cervical cancer. A safe and effective radiosensitizing agent is required to allow reduction of radiation doses used and of side-effects associated with radiation for cervical cancer. In recent years, great knowledge has been gained about the effects of apoptosis, cyclo-oxygenases, angiogenesis, hypoxia and temperature on radiation, making it possible to manipulate the radiation response of cervical cancer to achieve a better treatment outcome. In this mini review, some of these factors associated with the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer are discussed.