Low-dose radiobiology: Opportunities for new research and technology for anticancer and anti-COVID-19 strategies

Abstract

Biological responses to low-dose and high-dose radiations are markedly different; the former produce beneficial effects and the latter at acute doses cause detrimental health effects such as cancer induction. High-dose radiations (>2 Gy) of low linear energy transfer are widely used in the treatment of cancer, but limitations are imposed due to normal tissue adverse reactions. Low-dose radiations (LDRs), such as X-rays (a few mGy), have been widely used in diagnosis of many diseases without any known adverse health effects. LDR preexposures have been known to suppress cancer induction by acute doses of radiation. This article briefly reviews the possible applications of LDR in cancer therapy and delineates the underlying radiobiological mechanisms in suppressing high-dose-induced cancer. It is further argued to develop LDR technology in preventing and for palliative outcomes in fighting COVID-19 pandemic infection among the populations. Furthermore, it is suggested to examine the average number of people living in high background radiation areas for susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and compare with the average infection rate in the general public for gaining new knowledge on the response of LDR-exposed population.