Clinical and epidemiological observations on individual radiation sensitivity and susceptibility

Abstract

Purpose: To summarize existing knowledge and to understand individual response to radiation exposure, the MELODI Association together with CONCERT European Joint Programme has organized a workshop in March 2018 on radiation sensitivity and susceptibility. Methods: The workshop reviewed the current evidence on this matter, to inform the MELODI Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), to determine social and scientific needs and to come up with recommendations for suitable and feasible future research initiatives to be taken for the benefit of an improved medical diagnosis and treatment as well as for radiation protection. Results: The present paper gives an overview of the current evidence in this field, including potential effect modifiers such as age, gender, genetic profile, and health status of the exposed population, based on clinical and epidemiological observations. Conclusion: The authors conclude with the following recommendations for the way forward in radiation research: (a) there is need for large (prospective) cohort studies; (b) build upon existing radiation research cohorts; (c) use data from well-defined cohorts with good exposure assessment and biological material already collected; (d) focus on study quality with standardized data collection and reporting; (e) improve statistical analysis; (f) cooperation between radiobiology and epidemiology; and (g) take consequences of radiosensitivity and radiosusceptibility into account.

Radiation protection among health care workers: knowledge, attitude, practice, and clinical recommendations: a systematic review

“…This can be due to the differences in the target population, studied sample size, and examined country. Having proper knowledge about radiation protection is vital given its short-term and long-term complications [25]. The essential principles in proper knowledge are knowing the duration, distance, and use of suitable personal equipment [26,27].…”

Prediction of the Acute or Late Radiation Toxicity Effects in Radiotherapy Patients Using Ex Vivo Induced Biodosimetric Markers: A Review

“…Many studies were carried out in order to establish whether normal cell radiosensitivity correlates with the grade of normal tissue toxicity (NTT) in RT patients [17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Progress in this research, however, has been hampered by the difficulty in the translation of adverse reactions from the clinic to the laboratory.…”

Unintended and Accidental Exposures, Significant Dose Events and Trigger Levels in Interventional Radiology

“…• in procedures anticipated to be technically difficult, unusually prolonged, • in FGIs performed in the same region within the previous 3 months • in patients with increased radiosensitivity (especially due to younger age or genetic predisposition for details, see [17][18][19]) • where radiation therapy has been used or is planned for the same anatomic region.…”

“…In addition, dose and risk may require special attention in the following cases: where patient weight is greater than 120 kg in interventions in pediatric and young adult patients involving substantial absorbed dose to radiosensitive organs (e.g., lens of eye, breasts, gonads, thyroid); during pregnancy in procedures anticipated to be technically difficult, unusually prolonged, in FGIs performed in the same region within the previous 3 months in patients with increased radiosensitivity (especially due to younger age or genetic predisposition for details, see [ 17 – 19 ]) where radiation therapy has been used or is planned for the same anatomic region. …”

“…in patients with increased radiosensitivity (especially due to younger age or genetic predisposition for details, see [ 17 – 19 ])…”