Failla Memorial Lecture: the future of heavy-ion science in biology and medicine
An extensive review, with over 100 references, of the use of accelerator techniques in radiobiology is presented. Currently, beams of any stable isotope species up to uranium are available at kinetic energies of several hundred MeV/nucleon at the Berkeley Bevalac. The heavy ions hold interest for a broad spectrum of research because of their effectiveness in producing a series of major lesions in DNA along single particle tracks and because of the Bragg depth ionization properties that allow the precise deposition of highly localized doses deep in the human body. Heavy ions, when compared to low-LET radiation, have increased effectiveness for mammalian cell lethality, chromosome mutations, and cell transformation. The molecular mechanisms are not completely understood but appear to involve fragmentation and reintegration of DNA. Heavy ions do not require the presence of oxygen for producing their effects. Heavy ions are effective in delaying or blocking the cell division process. These radiobiological properties, combined with the ability to deliver highly localized internal doses, make accelerated heavy ions potentially important radiotherapeutic tools. Other novel approaches include the utilization of radioactive heavy beams as instant tracers. Heavy-ion radiography and microscopy respond to delicate changes in tissue electron density. The authors laboratory is in the process of proposing a research biomedical heavy-ion accelerator; the availability of such machines would greatly accelerate cancer and brain research with particle beams.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Berkeley
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 5437861
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-860423-; TRN: 85-020406
- Journal Information:
- Radiat. Res.; (United States), Vol. 103:1; Conference: Radiation Research Society annual meeting, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 13 Apr 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
HEAVY IONS
DIAGNOSTIC USES
RADIOBIOLOGY
RBE
ION BEAMS
ARGON
BEVALAC
BRAGG CURVE
DNA
DNA REPAIR
EYES
ION DOSIMETRY
ION MICROSCOPY
MELANOMAS
NEON 20 BEAMS
NEOPLASMS
ONCOGENIC TRANSFORMATIONS
PITUITARY GLAND
RADIOTHERAPY
SILICON 28 BEAMS
SPINAL CORD
SURVIVAL CURVES
WATER
ACCELERATORS
BEAMS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
BIOLOGY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHARGED PARTICLES
CYCLIC ACCELERATORS
DIAGRAMS
DISEASES
DOSIMETRY
ELEMENTS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
FACE
FLUIDS
GASES
GLANDS
HEAD
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONS
MEDICINE
MICROSCOPY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOLOGY
RARE GASES
RECOVERY
REPAIR
SENSE ORGANS
THERAPY
USES
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