The nitroimidazoles as radiosensitizers and cytotoxic agents.

Using hamster cells in culture, the radiosensitizing and cytotoxic properties of 8 electron-affinic drugs have been compared. These include nitrofurans derivatives as well as 2 and 5-nitroimidazoles. Most work has been performed with misonidazole for which it appears that, at 37 degree C, the concentration of drug required to produce a given level of cell killing is inversely proportional to the square of the exposure time. Misonidazole was also compared with X-rays for its ability to produce neoplastic transformations in vitro, using the C3H 10T 1/2 cell line.