Predictive biochemical assays for late radiation effects

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(86)90054-4· OSTI ID:5559364

Rubin, P; Finkelstein, J N; Siemann, D W; Shapiro, D L; Van Houtte, P; Penney, D P

Surfactant precursors or other products of Type II pneumocytes have the potential to be the first biochemical marker for late radiation effects. This is particularly clinically important in the combined modality era because of the frequent occurrence of pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis secondary to radiation or chemotherapy. Accordingly, correlative studies have been pursued with the Type II pneumocyte as a beginning point to understand the complex pathophysiology of radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis. From our ultrastructural and biochemical studies, it is evident that Type II pneumocytes are an early target of radiation and the release of surfactant into the alveolus shortly after exposure persists for days and weeks. Through the use of lavaging techniques, alveolar surfactant has been elevated after pulmonary irradiation. In three murine strains and in the rabbit, there is a strong correlation with surfactant release at 7 and/or 28 days in vivo with later lethality in months. In vitro studies using cultures of type II pneumocytes also demonstrate dose response and tolerance factors that are comparable to the in vivo small and large animal diagnostic models. New markers are being developed to serve as a predictive index for later lethal pneumonopathies. With the development of these techniques, the search for early biochemical markers in man has been undertaken. Through the use of biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural techniques, a causal relationship between radiation effects on type II pneumocytes, pulmonary cells, endothelial cells of blood vessels, and their roles in the production of pneumonitis and fibrosis will evolve.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY
• OSTI ID: 5559364
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
FORECASTING
LUNGS
IRRADIATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RADIOINDUCTION
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FIBROSIS
LAVAGE
MICE
RABBITS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOTHERAPY
SURFACTANTS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DISEASES
INJURIES
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
THERAPY
VERTEBRATES
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man