title: Radiation myelopathy: new perspective on an old problem.
abstract: This article discusses recent advances in basic research that alter the view of the pathogenesis of radiation myelopathy and summarizes the available data from developmental neurobiology and preclinical studies on demyelinating diseases. These studies have produced interesting insights into oligodendrocyte development, intercellular signaling pathways, and myelination processes. Current findings suggest that administration of cytokines as platelet-derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor could increase proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitors, enhance their differentiation, up-regulate synthesis of myelin constituents, and promote myelin regeneration in the adult central nervous system (CNS). Other compounds might also be able to modulate the progression of pathogenic processes that lead to myelopathy. In addition, several possible biological prevention or treatment strategies, for example stimulation of endogenous cellular regeneration and glial cell transplantation, are discussed. Rationally designed animal experiments pursuing such strategies could further elucidate the pathogenesis of radiation-induced CNS damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA. cnied@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nieder
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ataman
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines