Infection with the helper virus-dependent human parvovirus adeno-associated virus (AAV) is known to interfere with cellular transformation in vitro and oncogenesis in vivo. Here we report on sensitization to gamma irradiation by AAV infection of cells in culture and of tumors established from HeLa cells grafted into immunodeficient (nude) mice: infection of HeLa cells with AAV type 2 enhanced cell killing and reduced plating efficiency after irradiation compared with uninfected cells. Similarly, HeLa cell tumors in nude mice displayed a reduced growth rate and were more sensitive to gamma irradiation when the animals were infected with AAV type 2 prior to or after tumor cell inoculation. Since no pathogenicity is known for AAV, the ability of this virus to render radiotherapy of human tumor cells more efficient may up open novel approaches in cancer treatment.