Improving the Therapeutic Window of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Ulrich Rodeck, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology
Jefferson Medical College-Thomas Jefferson University

Radiation therapy of locally advanced prostate cancer is associated with severe toxicity limits. Dr. Rodeck will test the hypothesis that modulators of inflammation will preferentially protect normal tissues, but not tumor tissues against radiation-associated toxicity. A series of novel radioprotective compounds have been selected to test this hypothesis in models of prostate cancer and in patients.

Potential patient benefit: This radiobiology proposal will allow higher doses of external beam radiation to be administered, resulting in improved cancer control with reduced side effects to normal adjacent tissue.