Analysis of radio-sensitization patents in China from 2006 to 2015

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Radiotherapy is by means of ionizing radiation to kill tumor cells, inhibit and control the growth, metastasis and diffusion of tumor cells. During the last few decades, application of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and surgery are clinical mainstream treatments. However, little is known what radio-sensitization agents have been patented in China and what the potential drug candidates for patents are in China.

Areas covered: This reviews covers research and patent literature of the last 10 years dealing with the discovery and development of novel radio-sensitization patents in China.

Expert opinion: The 94 radio-sensitization patents granted from 2006 to 2015 mainly focus on six types of products. They are: traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), synthetic compounds, combinations of synthetic compounds and TCM, biological products, medical apparatus and others. In the course of tumor treatment, radiotherapy occupies an irreplaceable position. Previously believed that due to the prevalence of hypoxic cells in solid tumors, most of the tumor exist a certain degree of radiation resistance. To find effective ways to improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation therapy has become a focus in scientific research and clinical treatment. So radiation sensitivity has been proposed and widely studied.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer treatment
• Chinese patent
• radiotherapy
• radio-sensitizer
• mechanism

Article highlights

• Most cancer patients require radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Efficacy of radiotherapy depends on radio-sensitivity of tumor cells. Radio-sensitizers are drugs that do not kill cells when usd alone, but only when used in conjunction with radiation to enhance the efficacy of radiation killing.

• The 94 radio-sensitization patents granted from 2006 to 2015 mainly focus on traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), synthetic compounds, combinations of synthetic compounds and TCM, biological products, medical apparatus and others.

• Many types of radio-sensitizers have been extensively studied, and the relatively mature class is synthetic compounds, many of them are cytotoxic drugs.

• Although some of the previous studies provided the theoretical basis, most sensitization mechanisms were unclear and there were many toxic side effects. Further research on the mechanism of radio-sensitization is the key to clinical application of these substances in the future

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81102422, 81373398]; a Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).