The relation between deoxycytidine kinase activity and the radiosensitising effect of gemcitabine in eight different human tumour cell lines.

Background: Gemcitabine (dFdC) is an active antitumour agent with radiosensitising properties, shown both in preclinical and clinical studies. In the present study, the relation between deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) activity and the radiosensitising effect of gemcitabine was investigated in eight different human tumour cell lines.

Methods: Tumour cells were treated with dFdC (0-100 nM) for 24 h prior to radiotherapy (RT) (gamma-Co60, 0-6 Gy, room temperature).