Radiosensitizing and repair-inhibiting properties of dipyridamole

Abstract

Radioresistance and postirradiation repair of potentially lethal damage (PLD repair) are important factors underlying failure to control local disease in cancer. Dipyridamole (DP) is known as a modifier of the action of cytotoxic drugs. We therefore investigated DP as a potential radiosensitizer and inhibitor of PLD repair in X-irradiated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro. Exposure to the drug alone resulted in a slight reduction of the clonogenic capacity of the cells. Preincubation for 18 h with 10 and 20 microM DP in cells subcultured at low density, led to a significant radiosensitization. In confluent density-inhibited cultures, preincubation alone as well as pre- and postincubation with 20 microM DP resulted in a significant inhibition of PLD repair. Dipyridamole and related compounds may thus be useful tools for modifying and investigating the response of mammalian cells to radiation.