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Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy ionizing radiation to damage cancer cell DNA and trigger cell death.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy ionizing radiation to damage cancer cell DNA and trigger cell death. Used for Solid tumors (broad indication across multiple cancer types), Localized and metastatic cancers as primary or adjuvant treatment.
At a glance
| Generic name | Radiation Therapy |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Cancer Radiotherapy, ENERGY_TYPE, Irradiate, Irradiated, Irradiation |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| Drug class | Radiation therapy / Physical modality |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Ionizing radiation (photons, electrons, or particles) deposits energy into tumor tissue, causing direct DNA double-strand breaks and indirect damage through free radical formation. This leads to apoptosis, mitotic death, or senescence of malignant cells. Normal tissues are spared through fractionated dosing and precise targeting.
Approved indications
- Solid tumors (broad indication across multiple cancer types)
- Localized and metastatic cancers as primary or adjuvant treatment
Common side effects
- Fatigue
- Skin erythema / dermatitis
- Mucositis (head/neck radiation)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fibrosis (late effect)
- Secondary malignancy (late effect)
Key clinical trials
- A Study of Targeted Radiation Therapy in People With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (PHASE2)
- Testing the Addition of a New Anti-Cancer Drug, Triapine, to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Cisplatin) During Radiation Therapy for Advanced-stage Cervical and Vaginal Cancers (PHASE3)
- Therapy Adapted for High Risk and Low Risk HIV-Associated Anal Cancer (PHASE2)
- Exemption of SLNB After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Triple-negative and Her2-positive Breast Cancer (NA)
- Nivolumab in Combination With Chemo-Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma (PHASE3)
- Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Ganitumab in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma (PHASE3)
- Imaging Studies to Check the Local Response of Prostate Cancer to Radiation Therapy
- Osimertinib Combined With Intracranial SRT for EGFR-Mutant NSCLC With Symptomatic Brain Metastases
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |