Patent ID: 8968702
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: A61K,A61P

Abstract:
1. A method for enhancing radiation therapy by inhibiting a macrophage-mediated stabilization of HIF-1 in a tumor undergoing radiation therapy free of cytotoxic chemotherapy, the method comprising: (i) providing a radiation therapy free of cytotoxic chemotherapy by irradiating a tumor in a subject, wherein the radiation increases the number of tumor-associated macrophages, wherein the tumor-associated macrophages produce nitric oxide through inducible nitric oxide synthase, whereby the nitric oxide stabilizes HIF-1 in the irradiated tumor; and then (ii) contacting the irradiated tumor having stabilized HIF-1 with a composition comprising a minimally therapeutic dose of an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase to inhibit HIF-1 stabilization, whereby the minimally therapeutic dose of an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase is sufficient to prevent production of nitric oxide through inducible nitric oxide synthase in tumor-associated macrophages for a number of days following irradiation, whereby a macrophage-mediated stabilization of HIF-1 in the tumor is inhibited such that the radiation therapy is enhanced.