Description
Hypoxic cells are low oxygen cells that when present in tumors are radioresistant and chemoresistant. Pimonidazole is a small molecule radiosensitizer that has proven to be an effective and nontoxic hypoxia marker for human squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix, head, and neck. This immunochemical hypoxia marker has been widely used in experimental and clinical studies due to its chemical stability, water solubility, and wide tissue distribution. It is generally administered in aqueous solution by injection.
Uses
Pimonidazole is an effective and nontoxic hypoxia detection reagent. Pimonidazole forms adducts with thiol groups in proteins, peptides and amino acids. It labels hypoxic tumor cells in vivo. Also labels hypoxic mesenchymal stem cells in mouse bone marrow.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Pimonidazole is an effective and nontoxic exogenous 2-nitroimidazole hypoxia marker. Pimonidazole forms adducts with thiol groups in proteins, peptides and amino acids.
