Non-targeted effects of ionizing radiation: implications for risk assessment and the radiation dose response profile.
Radiation risks at low doses remain a hotly debated topic. Recent experimental advances in our understanding of effects occurring in the progeny of irradiated cells, and/or the non-irradiated neighbors of irradiated cells (i.e., non-targeted effects associated with exposure to ionizing radiation), have influenced this debate. The goal of this document is to summarize the current status of this debate and speculate on the potential impact of non-targeted effects on radiation risk assessment and the radiation dose response profile.
Morgan
William F
WF
Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN P7-56, Richland, WA 99354, USA. wfmorgan@pnl.gov
Sowa
Marianne B
MB
D000818:Animals; D024201:Bystander Effect / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018570:Risk Assessment