The use of fluorocarbon emulsions in cancer radiotherapy.

The chemical and physical properties of perfluorochemical emulsions which highlight their advantages and disadvantages for use in cancer radiotherapy are summarized. The radiobiological properties of two emulsions are reviewed: we have chosen the Fluosol-DA 20% and the PFOB emulsion 100 v/w% which is one of the most promising second generation fluorocarbon emulsions. The radiosensitization obtained in a human tumor xenograft with PFOB emulsion is compared to that obtained with other modalities used to overcome the radioresistance of tumour cells linked to hypoxia.