A nanoview on radiosensitizers

The use of small molecules as radiosensitizers, i.e. agents that selectively target tumor cells in radiotherapy, is finding more and more interest. The challenge is to understand at molecular level which are the chemical physical properties that determine the efficacy of these molecules and how to control them. This will lead to the discovery  of new drugs to be combined with radiotherapy and to the design of specific radiosensitizers for different cancer families.

Our studies based on the spectroscopic and dynamic investigation of small molecules isolated in gas phase or in controlled environment (clusters and hydrated clusters) that mimic the bio-environment provide unique information  on the processes occurring at the early stages of the exposition to radiation. A recent example has seen the characterization of nitroimidazole isomers, oxygen mimetic compounds, from the model molecule to the real drug.