It has been long known that high-Linear Energy Transfer (LET) radiation, such as charged particles, are more effective, i.e. possess a greater Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), compared to x- or -rays at causing a plethora of radiobiologically relevant effects. The outcome of cellular exposure to radiation depends on the amount and type of the induced cytogenetic damage. Thus, the whose severity of the latter governs cellular radioresponse. Damage at the molecular level reflects the pattern of energy deposition by radiation. The peculiar manner with which charged particles deposit their energy in the form of highly inhomogeneous and closely spaced clusters of ionisation varieties within and around radiation tracks, results in an increased damage complexity, hence a decreased competence for repair. Radiation quality, therefore, is the major determinant of radiation effectiveness. An overview of the general aspects of ion radiobiology will be presented with regard to extensively studied endpoints such as cell death and chromosomal aberrations. In addition, some of the standing issues, of potential impact on human health, will be discusses. These are mainly related to the growing use of accelerated ion beams for cancer treatment (e.g. hadrontherapy) and concern long-term non-cancer effects of high-LET radiation, for which RBE is still affected by large uncertainties.
Biological effects of high LET radiation and implications for cancer therapy / Manti, Lorenzo. - (2013). (Intervento presentato al convegno R8. Joint meeting of the Swedish Societies for Radiation Biology and Isotope therapy and the Swedish Cancer Society on radionuclide therapy tenutosi a Goteborg University nel 13-15 novembre 2013).
Biological effects of high LET radiation and implications for cancer therapy.
MANTI, LORENZO
2013
Abstract
It has been long known that high-Linear Energy Transfer (LET) radiation, such as charged particles, are more effective, i.e. possess a greater Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), compared to x- or -rays at causing a plethora of radiobiologically relevant effects. The outcome of cellular exposure to radiation depends on the amount and type of the induced cytogenetic damage. Thus, the whose severity of the latter governs cellular radioresponse. Damage at the molecular level reflects the pattern of energy deposition by radiation. The peculiar manner with which charged particles deposit their energy in the form of highly inhomogeneous and closely spaced clusters of ionisation varieties within and around radiation tracks, results in an increased damage complexity, hence a decreased competence for repair. Radiation quality, therefore, is the major determinant of radiation effectiveness. An overview of the general aspects of ion radiobiology will be presented with regard to extensively studied endpoints such as cell death and chromosomal aberrations. In addition, some of the standing issues, of potential impact on human health, will be discusses. These are mainly related to the growing use of accelerated ion beams for cancer treatment (e.g. hadrontherapy) and concern long-term non-cancer effects of high-LET radiation, for which RBE is still affected by large uncertainties.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.