Sanazole as a sensitizer of hypoxic cells with radical radiation in the treatment of advanced cancer of cervix an Indian experience.

AK-2123, is a nitrotriazole with a potential to sensitize hypoxic tissue to radiation. Cancer of cervix in advanced stages are predominantly treated with radiation. These are the tumours which harbour a large hypoxic core. This is an Indian experience of the multicentric trial. Patients were randomized to control and AK-2123 arm. 49 patients were randomized to each group. Patients received external radiation with telecobalt to a dose of 50 Gy in five weeks. Those in the study arm received 600 mg/m2, on alternate days. The patients were further treated with intracavitory radiation a dose of 20 Gy. The total dose of 70 Gy was achieved. Patients in the study arm had a complete response of 71.43% (35 of 49) while only 21 of 49 (42.86%) responded in the control group. The overall survival at two years was 72.2% for the study group and 32.43% for control. Neuropathy, a drug related toxicity was transient except, in one patient, which has persisted. AK-2123, has shown significant radiation sensitizing potential.