Early and late radiation reactions in mouse feet.

J Denekamp

doi:10.1038/bjc.1977.196

Abstract

The relationship between early and late radiation damage has been analysed by comparing the early skin reaction (desquamation in the first month) with the late foot deformity seen at 6 months, for mice from a wide variety of different fractionation experiments. A close correlation was observed between the early and late reactions in each experiment and the relationship was the same for all the experiments except for 17-64 fractions given over a short time. The fractionation schemes included single doses and 2-64 fractions, and the overall times ranged from 1 day to 6 months. This close correlation for such a wide variety of treatments suggests that the two end points are not necessarily independent responses of different tissues and that late damage in the mouse foot can result secondarily from depletion of the basal layer of the epidermis. Late foot deformity is therefore not a reliable model for the response of a slowly proliferating tissue.

Highlights

This close correlation for such a wide variety of treatments suggests that the two end points are not necessarily independent responses of different tissues and that late damage in the mouse foot can result secondarily from depletion of the basal layer of the epidermis
Attention sparing of superficial layers made possible has recently been turned to more slowly by the advent of supervoltage radio- dividing tissues in which late radiation therapy, and partly because the treatment reactions are observed
Field showed in 1969 that mine tolerance to fractionated irradiation, early skin reactions on rat feet were a and the relationship of cell kinetics to the reliable indicator of the deformity that time of the appearance of different forms developed within 6 months and this was of damage are necessary

Summary

Introduction

This close correlation for such a wide variety of treatments suggests that the two end points are not necessarily independent responses of different tissues and that late damage in the mouse foot can result secondarily from depletion of the basal layer of the epidermis. In clinical radiotherapy the late response jejunum, colon and testis These have been of normal tissues to the radiation-induced used to establish the relationship between injury is often of more importance than the cell survival and tissue response and to acute phase, and can be painful, disfigur- elucidate the importance of repair, reing or even lethal. Attention sparing of superficial layers made possible has recently been turned to more slowly by the advent of supervoltage radio- dividing tissues in which late radiation therapy, and partly because the treatment reactions are observed. These include can be modified if the acute reaction is too lungs, spinal cord, kidneys and heart severe. Most radiobiological experiments have been restricted to rapidly dividing tissues and Probert (1973), Field and Law (1976) and Moulder, Fischer and Casey (1975)

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Conclusion