CHEN Xiaojing, JIN Yizun. A REVIEW ON THE STUDY OF BIOREDUCTIVE DRUGS[J]. Journal of Radiation Research and Radiation Processing, 2003,21(2):83-87.DOI:
Hypoxia is a feature that exists in most solid tumors. Bio-reductive drugs are pro-drugs that can selectively target the hypoxia cells in tumors. In reductive environment, they are reductively metabolized to generate toxic species. There are 3 main classes of bio-reductive drugs: the nitro-aromatics, N-oxides and quinones. Recently, bio-reductive drugs were combined with GDEPT for the treatment of cancer, in addition to radiation and the chemotherapeutic agents. bio-reductive drugs will play a significant role in future cancer therapy.