Indian Journal of Oncology and Radiation Biology

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Acute Radiation Syndrome at Crossroads of Protection and Therapy


Affiliations
1 Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi-110 020, India
 

Exposure to radiation (>1Gy) induced acute radiation syndrome (ARS), reducing individual defense against exogenous and endogenous factors, resulting in infections and organs dysfunction. Since < 40% of cancer patients require radiation therapy for management, developing acute radiation toxicity, manifesting during or developing months to years after completion. The development of radiation countermeasure to treat ARS patient has been the subject of intense research since World War II. Individual radiation toxicity is assessed by the time gap of onset, severity of nausea and vomiting, and decline in absolute lymphocyte count, over several hours or days after exposure. Numerous synthetic and natural products though evaluated, however, unwanted toxicity even with optimal doses has precluded their usage. Therefore, systematic screening approach is recommended to identify potential new drugs for mitigation of radiation injury. Sincere efforts have been put in the current review to process preclinical to clinical trials, FDA approved treatment modalities and drugs. Therapy includes treatment with hematopoietic cytokines; blood transfusion; and, stem-cell transplantation, in selected cases. Discussions on medical management, of presenting clinical symptoms and signs, envisage the use of radiomimetic, immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory agents.

Keywords

Radioprotection, Radiomitigation, Radiation Injury, Acute Radiation Syndrome, Stem Cell Therapy
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Notifications

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  • Acute Radiation Syndrome at Crossroads of Protection and Therapy

Abstract Views: 698  |  PDF Views: 385

Authors

Nazir M. Khan
Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi-110 020, India
Anil K. Giri
Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi-110 020, India
Divya Narayanan
Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi-110 020, India

Abstract


Exposure to radiation (>1Gy) induced acute radiation syndrome (ARS), reducing individual defense against exogenous and endogenous factors, resulting in infections and organs dysfunction. Since < 40% of cancer patients require radiation therapy for management, developing acute radiation toxicity, manifesting during or developing months to years after completion. The development of radiation countermeasure to treat ARS patient has been the subject of intense research since World War II. Individual radiation toxicity is assessed by the time gap of onset, severity of nausea and vomiting, and decline in absolute lymphocyte count, over several hours or days after exposure. Numerous synthetic and natural products though evaluated, however, unwanted toxicity even with optimal doses has precluded their usage. Therefore, systematic screening approach is recommended to identify potential new drugs for mitigation of radiation injury. Sincere efforts have been put in the current review to process preclinical to clinical trials, FDA approved treatment modalities and drugs. Therapy includes treatment with hematopoietic cytokines; blood transfusion; and, stem-cell transplantation, in selected cases. Discussions on medical management, of presenting clinical symptoms and signs, envisage the use of radiomimetic, immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory agents.

Keywords


Radioprotection, Radiomitigation, Radiation Injury, Acute Radiation Syndrome, Stem Cell Therapy

References