Spatial heterogeneity in tumor hypoxia is one of the most important factors regulating tumor growth, development, aggressiveness, metastasis, and effective treatment outcome. Most solid tumors are characterized by hypoxia or low oxygen levels (pO2 <10 torr/mmHg) and hypoxic cells have a higher resistance to radiation treatment.
The destruction of hypoxic tumor cells requires approximately 3 times higher radiation dose as compared to well-oxygenated tumor tissues. Hypoxia is also a barrier to successful chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments as well. Therefore, it is necessary to design tumor treatment that takes accurate tumor pO2 into account. For more information on “Oxygen Guided Radiation Therapy” follow this link.
