QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF RADIATION LETHALITY AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Am. J. Roentgenol., Radium Therapy Nucl. Med.

OSTI ID:4178153

Till, J E

Radiobiologic studies on normal and tumor cells of the mouse in vivo and extensive similar studies on normal and malignant cells proliferating in tissue culture, including human cells and cells derived from other mammals, indicate that all proliferating mammalian cells have approximately the same intrinsic radiosensitivity as far as the effect of radiation on the proliferative capacity of the cells is concerned. In particular, tumor cells and proliferating normal cells do not differ greatly in sensitivity, with the tumor cells showing, if anything, the lesser radiosensitivity. Factors which modify the radiosensitivity of cells do not appear to act selectively on either tumor or normal cells. Of critical importance in assessing the action of radiation on a tumor cell population is a knowledge of how many cells in the irradiated tumor possess the capacity for unlimited proliferation and the kinetics of multiplication of these cells after irradiation. The greatest block to progress in the understanding of the differences in radiocurability between different human tumors is the lack of a direct method for determining the proliferative capacity of cells in human tumors. If such a method could be developed, a more rational approach to diagnosis and treatment would be possible. (auth)

• Research Organization: Ontario Cancer Inst., Toronto
• NSA Number: NSA-18-000058
• OSTI ID: 4178153
• Journal Information: Am. J. Roentgenol., Radium Therapy Nucl. Med., Journal Name: Am. J. Roentgenol., Radium Therapy Nucl. Med. Vol. Vol: 90
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
MAN
MICE
MITOSIS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOBIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY
TISSUES
TUMORS