Improving the Delivery and Safety of Proton Beam Therapy

Abstract

mice per group for a total of 72 measurements. A t–test was used to determine differences in values between treatment groups (radiation + soy, radiation alone, and control). Results: Radiation caused significant thickening of the IEL, mean 66.5+/4.3um (SEM) compared with 22.7+/-0.8um IEL thickness in control mice (p<0.0001). When radiation was combined with soy treatment, IEL thickening was significantly reduced, measuring 37.2+/-1.1um compared with radiation alone (p<0.0001). The change in IEL thickness for irradiated mice was histologically characterized by an increased presence of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, whereas the IEL in radiation + soy treated mice showed cellularity comparable to that of control. Conclusions: Thoracic radiation instigated an inflammatory response in the esophagus characterized by inflammatory cell infiltrate and subepithelial thickening, which was markedly attenuated by soy treatment. Our data suggest a radioprotective effect of soy isoflavones on esophageal tissues and warrant further investigation to describe the mechanisms responsible for these findings. Author Disclosure: M.M. Dominello: None. M. Fountain: None. L. Abernathy: None. M. Kirsch: None. C. Yunker: None. M. Joiner: None. F. Lonardo: None. G. Hillman: None.