Methods of protecting against radiation injury

A method of treating radiation injury, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, prior to an exposure to radiation, a therapeutically effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said radiation injury is treated.

A method of preventing radiation damage, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, prior to an exposure to radiation, a therapeutically effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said radiation damage is prevented.

A method of reducing an effect of ionizing radiation on normal cells in a subject at risk for incurring exposure to ionizing radiation, comprising administering to said subject prior to an exposure to ionizing radiation a therapeutically effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, wherein said effect of ionizing radiation on normal cells in said subject is reduced.

A method of preventing radiation injury to normal cells, comprising contacting a normal cell, prior to an exposure to radiation, with an effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, wherein said radiation injury is prevented.

A method of protecting non-cancerous cells against radiation injury, comprising contacting non-cancerous cells, prior to an exposure to radiation, with an effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, wherein said non-cancerous cells are protected against said radiation injury.

A method of preventing radiation-induced cell death in non-cancerous cells, comprising contacting non-cancerous cells, prior to an exposure to radiation, with an effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, wherein said radiation-induced cell death of said non-cancerous cells is prevented.

A method of treating cancer, comprising a) administering to a subject in need thereof, prior to radiation therapy, a therapeutically effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, wherein said therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to prevent radiation injury to normal cells;

• and b) administering to the subject an effective amount of radiation therapy to treat said cancer while preventing radiation injury to said normal cells, wherein said cancer is treated.

A method of treating cancer, comprising a) administering to a subject in need thereof, prior to radiation therapy, a therapeutically effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, wherein said therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to prevent radiation-induced cell death in non-cancerous cells;

• and b) administering to the subject an effective amount of radiation therapy to treat said cancer while preventing radiation-induced cell death in said non-cancerous cells, wherein said cancer is treated.

A kit for prevention of radiation injury, comprising a) a container comprising an effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, and b) instructions for using said β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, prior to an exposure to radiation to prevent radiation injury in a subject.

A kit for treatment of radiation injury, comprising a) a container comprising an effective amount of β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, and b) instructions for using said β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, prior to an exposure to radiation to treat radiation injury in a subject.