Radiation therapy is an exciting new technique being used to combat cancer. This fascinating technology is always evolving. It works by damaging the DNA of cells. The damage is caused by directing a beam of photons, protons, electrons, neutrons, or ions which can directly or indirectly ionize the atoms which make up the DNA chain. Although this may seem permanent, cells have mechanisms for repairing DNA after this process has happened, which is why Radiation Therapists now focus on breaking the DNA on each separate strand to ensure the DNA is destroyed. This DNA damage has been observed to be inherited throughout the cell division of tumors leading to cancer cell apoptosis or decrease in the rate of cancer cell division.
While there are also many drawbacks of radiation therapy, the largest one is cells of solid tumors often become deficient in oxygen and cause hypoxia. This causes the radiation to be far less effective because tumor cells in a hypoxic environment have a shown a general resistance to radiation therapy. Currently, researchers are working hard to solve this problem.
By providing researchers with the samples they need, we are hopeful we can contribute to new advances in this exciting field. If you have and question please feel free to comment or fill out the form to the left.
