Radiotherapy and cellular signalling

Developments in cellular and molecular biology in the past decade have increased our understanding of the processes by which cells respond to ionising radiation. Cells use complex protein signalling systems that recognise radiation damage to DNA and plasma membrane lipids. When damage is found, it leads to the activation of various intracellular pathways that modulate the activity of genes controlling cellular responses such as apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, or repair. Numerous molecular targets may be activatedor inhibited in an attempt to upregulatre or downregulate the radiation response. In this review, we discuss some of the new compounds and techniques for manipulating the cell's response to radiation.