Abstract
The effect of the new hypoxic cell sensitizer, 1[2-hydroxy-1(hydroxymethyl)-ethoxy]methyl-2-nitroimidazole (RP-170), combined with heat against EMT6/KU cells, was determined under conditions of in vitro hypoxia. Heat-induced cytotoxicity for the EMT6/KU cells was increased to a greater extent under conditions of hypoxia and a normal pH of the medium. Hypoxia also reduced the surviving fraction of the cells treated either with RP-170 alone or with RP-170 plus heat. The concomitant treatment of RP-170 and heat inhibited the clonogenic activity of the EMT6/KU cells under conditions of in vitro hypoxia in all experimental groups, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). Therefore, RP-170 combined with exposure to heat may be an effective treatment for hypoxic cells in a solid tumor, as these cells are resistant to radiation and/or to many chemotherapeutic agents.