Response of human hair cortical cells to fractionated radiotherapy.
Hair cortical cell counting (HCCC) represents a non-invasive, in-vivo measure of cell kill in the human integument. Sixty-six patients undergoing conventionally fractionated, external beam radiotherapy for early stage carcinoma of the prostate had groin hair samples counted. This technique is a sensitive and reproducible measure of radiation effect and may have applicability as an in-vivo prediction tool or in the field of biological dosimetry. A repopulative follicular response occurring at 3-4 weeks may explain flattening of the dose response curve.
Hamilton
C S
CS
Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Hunter, NSW, Australia.
Potten
C S
CS
Denham
J W
JW
O'Brien
P C
PC
Kron
T
T
Ostwald
P
P
Wright
S
S
Ramsden
J
J
D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage