A new view of radiation-induced cancer: integrating short- and long-term processes. Part I: approach

Radiat Environ Biophys. 2009 Aug;48(3):263-74. doi: 10.1007/s00411-009-0230-3. Epub 2009 Jun 18.

Abstract

Mathematical models of radiation carcinogenesis are important for understanding mechanisms and for interpreting or extrapolating risk. There are two classes of such models: (1) long-term formalisms that track pre-malignant cell numbers throughout an entire lifetime but treat initial radiation dose-response simplistically and (2) short-term formalisms that provide a detailed initial dose-response even for complicated radiation protocols, but address its modulation during the subsequent cancer latency period only indirectly. We argue that integrating short- and long-term models is needed. As an example of this novel approach, we integrate a stochastic short-term initiation/inactivation/repopulation model with a deterministic two-stage long-term model. Within this new formalism, the following assumptions are implemented: radiation initiates, promotes, or kills pre-malignant cells; a pre-malignant cell generates a clone, which, if it survives, quickly reaches a size limitation; the clone subsequently grows more slowly and can eventually generate a malignant cell; the carcinogenic potential of pre-malignant cells decreases with age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced* / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced* / pathology
  • Risk
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult