Treatment of Cancer and Inflammation With Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

There is considerable evidence from experimental studies in animals, as well as from clinical reports, that low-dose radiation hormesis is effective for the treatment of cancer and ulcerative colitis. In this study, we present 3 case reports that support the clinical efficacy of low-dose radiation hormesis in patients with these diseases. First, a patient with prostate cancer who had undergone surgical resection showed a subsequent increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). His PSA value started decreasing immediately after the start of repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation treatment and remained low thereafter. Second, a patient with prostate cancer with bone metastasis was treated with repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation. His PSA level decreased to nearly normal within 3 months after starting the treatment and remained at the low level after the end of hormesis treatment. His bone metastasis almost completely disappeared. Third, a patient with ulcerative colitis showed a slow initial response to repeated low-dose irradiation treatment using various modalities, including drinking radon-containing water, but within 8 months, his swelling and bleeding had completely disappeared. After 1 year, the number of bowel movements had become normal. Interest in the use of radiation hormesis in clinical practice is increasing, and we hope that these case reports will encourage further clinical investigations.

Meta-analytic evidence for the anti-aging effect of hormesis on Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Consistently, the improvement in resilience of hormesis has also been identified in some clinical trials. For example, the lowdose radiation was effective for the treatment of inflammations [35], and repeated moderate exercise strengthened anti-oxidative defense [36]. As commented by Gems et al [37], hormesis does not kill us, just makes us stronger.…”

Application of Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation in Medical Therapies

“…The second and third patients, described in the abovementioned case reports, received radon therapy that was very effective. 45 A subsequent article discussed present and future prospects of cancer therapy using targeted and nontargeted a-emitters. 46 It presented evidence of 2 patients with metastatic breast cancer who had refused conventional treatments.…”

Influence of Individual Radiosensitivity on the Hormesis Phenomenon: Toward a Mechanistic Explanation Based on the Nucleoshuttling of ATM Protein

“…The case reports referenced in Table 2 concern 1 patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated by hot spring radon therapy 35 and 3 other patients with prostate cancer, prostate cancer with bone metastasis, and ulcerative colitis who were submitted to repeated low-dose treatment. 31 Because of the poor number of cases and since they do not present any quantitative features, these 2 reports cannot be rigorously considered as significant proofs of the existence of hormesis even if they may suggest that hormesis is not limited to a decrease in cancer risk ( Table 2).…”