The eukaryotic cell nucleus is required to accomplish its functions (e.g.,
replicating transcription, DNA repair, hmRNA processing, etc.) within the c
ontext of a highly organized structure [Wei X, Samarabandu I, Devdhar RS, S
iegel Al, Acharya R, Berezney R. 1998. Science 281:1502-1506.], since many
cancer-therapeutic modalities utilize the nucleus as target for a cytotoxic
outcome. A better understanding of the organizational disruption of sub-nu
clear structures and subsequent loss of nuclear function is the key to know
ing both the mechanism of action of, and the basis of cellular sensitivity
to, therapeutic agents such as ionizing radiation. With this prospect, we e
xamine four examples in which changes in specific nuclear structures or fun
ctions lead to significant therapeutic end points, e.g. cell death, radiose
nsitization, or the intrinsic radioresistance of tumor cells. The inter-rel
ationships delineated in these examples provide a paradigm that delineates
a relationship between disruption of nuclear organization, loss of function
and a point of intervention that affects a therapeutic outcome. The exampl
es specifically address issues related to radiation and thermal therapy. Ho
wever, the concepts that result from these studies are translatable to othe
r cancer therapeutic modalities. In addition, the results echo a basic prin
ciple that proper nuclear organization is critical to the maintenance of ce
llular viability and genomic stability. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.