Molecular radiobiology meets clinical radiation oncology.
BACKGROUND
The 2nd Langendorff Congress in Freiburg in Breisgau (Germany) gathered basic and translational scientists as well as clinicians interested in recent developments in molecular and clinical radiobiology. The topics ranged from the most recent insight into the organisation of the DNA damage response and radiotherapeutically relevant cell death mechanisms to biological imaging for treatment planning and advances in the understanding of the molecular biological effects of particle beams. Clinical aspects of stem cell and tumour stem cell biology as well as of angiogenesis and hypoxia, the search for novel molecular radiosensitisers and potential strategies for exploitation of the immune system to further improve tumour radiotherapy were also discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
This report surveys the presentations at the meeting, considering their significance in light of the literature, and documents the increasing importance of molecular radiobiology for clinical radiooncology.
Firat
Elke
E
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Heinemann
Felix
F
Grosu
Anca-Ligia
AL
Hermann
Frommhold
F
Niedermann
Gabriele
G
D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D011853:Radiobiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage