Radiotherapy is by means of ionizing radiation to kill tumor cells, inhibit and control the growth, metastasis and diffusion of tumor cells. During the last few decades, application of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and surgery are clinical mainstream treatments. However, little is known what radio-sensitization agents have been patented in China and what the potential drug candidates for patents are in China. Areas covered: This reviews covers research and patent literature of the last 10 years dealing with the discovery and development of novel radio-sensitization patents in China. Expert opinion: The 94 radio-sensitization patents granted from 2006 to 2015 mainly focus on six types of products. They are: traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), synthetic compounds, combinations of synthetic compounds and TCM, biological products, medical apparatus and others. In the course of tumor treatment, radiotherapy occupies an irreplaceable position. Previously believed that due to the prevalence of hypoxic cells in solid tumors, most of the tumor exist a certain degree of radiation resistance. To find effective ways to improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation therapy has become a focus in scientific research and clinical treatment. So radiation sensitivity has been proposed and widely studied.
Keywords: Cancer treatment; Chinese patent; mechanism; radio-sensitizer; radiotherapy.