A method of using texaphyrins as radiosensitizers. Advantageous properties of texaphyrins for use as a radiosensitizer include i) a low redox potential which allows radiation induced solvated electrons to flow to texaphyrin rather than neutralizing hydroxyl radicals, allowing the hydroxyl radicals to cause cellular damage, ii) a relatively stable texaphyrin radical which, nevertheless, reacts readily to covalently modify neighboring molecules causing further cellular damage, and iii) intrinsic biolocalization and indifference to the presence of O.sub.2 which allow texaphyrin to be particularly effective for treating the hypoxic areas of solid tumors. Sensitizer enhancement ratios of 1.62 and 2.2 were achieved at 20 .mu.M and 80 .mu.M gadolinium-texaphyrin, respectively, with a mouse leukemia cell line. Methods of treatment for an individual having a tumor include the use of a texaphyrin as a radiosensitizer and as an agent for photodynamic tumor therapy, or the use of a texaphyrin for internal and for external ionizing radiation. New water soluble hydroxy-substituted texaphyrins are described.
使用Texaphyrins作为放射增敏剂的方法。Texaphyrins用作放射增敏剂的优点包括:i)低氧化还原电位,可以使辐射诱导的溶剂化电子流向Texaphyrin而不是中和羟基自由基,从而使羟基自由基引起细胞损伤,ii)相对稳定的Texaphyrin自由基,仍然容易反应,以共价修饰相邻分子,进一步导致细胞损伤,以及iii)内在的
生物定位和对O.sub.2的不关注,使得Texaphyrin特别有效于治疗实体肿瘤的缺氧区域。在20μM和80μM
钆Texaphyrin的情况下,使用小鼠白血病
细胞系实现了1.62和2.2的增敏比。治疗具有肿瘤的个体的方法包括使用Texaphyrin作为放射增敏剂和光动力治疗的药物,或使用Texaphyrin进行内部和外部电离辐射。还描述了新的
水溶性羟基取代Texaphyrins。