Title: Modelling of radiation-induced bystander effect at low dose and low LET

Authors: Hooshang Nikjoo, Igor K. Khvostunov

Addresses: School of Pharmacy, Nottingham University, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK ' Medical Radiological Research Centre, 249036 Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia

Abstract: We presents a new biophysical model of radiation induced bystander effect applicable to low LET radiation and complementing a previously published model (Nikjoo & Khvostunov, IJRB, 79:43-52, 2003). A detailed analysis of experimental data has been performed for both the high and low LET radiations showing, contrary to the general belief, the existence of a dose response in the bystander effect at very low doses. At very low doses, the model predicts a non-linear dose response. As a corollary it is proposed that the definition of the bystander effect should be modified to take into account extra recipient cells which are hit and survived.

Keywords: bystander modelling; cell survival; cell transformation; signal diffusion; track structure; linear energy transfer radiation; LET radiation; bystander effects; low dose; low radiation; dose response; biophysical models.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2006.012013

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2006 Vol.3 No.2/3, pp.143 - 158

Published online: 09 Jan 2007 *

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