Predictive biochemical assays for late radiation effects

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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