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Little MP, Bazyka D, de Gonzalez AB, Brenner AV, Chumak VV, Cullings HM, Daniels RD, French B, Grant E, Hamada N, Hauptmann M, Kendall GM, Laurier D, Lee C, Lee WJ, Linet MS, Mabuchi K, Morton LM, Muirhead CR, Preston DL, Rajaraman P, Richardson DB, Sakata R, Samet JM, Simon SL, Sugiyama H, Wakeford R, Zablotska LB. A Historical Survey of Key Epidemiological Studies of Ionizing Radiation Exposure. Radiat Res 2024; 202:432-487. [PMID: 39021204 PMCID: PMC11316622 DOI: 10.1667/rade-24-00021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In this article we review the history of key epidemiological studies of populations exposed to ionizing radiation. We highlight historical and recent findings regarding radiation-associated risks for incidence and mortality of cancer and non-cancer outcomes with emphasis on study design and methods of exposure assessment and dose estimation along with brief consideration of sources of bias for a few of the more important studies. We examine the findings from the epidemiological studies of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, persons exposed to radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, those exposed to environmental sources including Chornobyl and other reactor accidents, and occupationally exposed cohorts. We also summarize results of pooled studies. These summaries are necessarily brief, but we provide references to more detailed information. We discuss possible future directions of study, to include assessment of susceptible populations, and possible new populations, data sources, study designs and methods of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Dimitry Bazyka
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | | | - Alina V. Brenner
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Vadim V. Chumak
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | - Harry M. Cullings
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Robert D. Daniels
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric Grant
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), 1646 Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Gerald M. Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay aux Roses France
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Martha S. Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Kiyohiko Mabuchi
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Lindsay M. Morton
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | | | | | - Preetha Rajaraman
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - David B. Richardson
- Environmental and Occupational Health, 653 East Peltason, University California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3957 USA
| | - Ritsu Sakata
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Jonathan M. Samet
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Steven L. Simon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Hiromi Sugiyama
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16 Street, 2 floor, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Thariat J, Little MP, Zablotska LB, Samson P, O’Banion MK, Leuraud K, Bergom C, Girault G, Azimzadeh O, Bouffler S, Hamada N. Radiotherapy for non-cancer diseases: benefits and long-term risks. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:505-526. [PMID: 38180039 PMCID: PMC11039429 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2295966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The discovery of X-rays was followed by a variety of attempts to treat infectious diseases and various other non-cancer diseases with ionizing radiation, in addition to cancer. There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the use of such radiotherapy for non-cancer diseases. Non-cancer diseases for which use of radiotherapy has currently been proposed include refractory ventricular tachycardia, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and dementia), and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, all with ongoing clinical studies that deliver radiation doses of 0.5-25 Gy in a single fraction or in multiple daily fractions. In addition to such non-cancer effects, historical indications predominantly used in some countries (e.g. Germany) include osteoarthritis and degenerative diseases of the bones and joints. This narrative review gives an overview of the biological rationale and ongoing preclinical and clinical studies for radiotherapy proposed for various non-cancer diseases, discusses the plausibility of the proposed biological rationale, and considers the long-term radiation risks of cancer and non-cancer diseases. CONCLUSIONS A growing body of evidence has suggested that radiation represents a double-edged sword, not only for cancer, but also for non-cancer diseases. At present, clinical evidence has shown some beneficial effects of radiotherapy for ventricular tachycardia, but there is little or no such evidence of radiotherapy for other newly proposed non-cancer diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19 pneumonia). Patients with ventricular tachycardia and COVID-19 pneumonia have thus far been treated with radiotherapy when they are an urgent life threat with no efficient alternative treatment, but some survivors may encounter a paradoxical situation where patients were rescued by radiotherapy but then get harmed by radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to justify the clinical use of radiotherapy for non-cancer diseases, and optimize dose to diseased tissue while minimizing dose to healthy tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Thariat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France
- Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire IN2P3, ENSICAEN/CNRS UMR 6534, Normandie Université, Caen, France
| | - Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pamela Samson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - M. Kerry O’Banion
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Klervi Leuraud
- Research Department on Biological and Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation (SESANE), Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Carmen Bergom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gilles Girault
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre François Baclesse, Medical Library, Caen, France
| | - Omid Azimzadeh
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Section Radiation Biology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Simon Bouffler
- Radiation Protection Sciences Division, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Abiko, Chiba, Japan
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Katsura M, Urade Y, Nansai H, Kobayashi M, Taguchi A, Ishikawa Y, Ito T, Fukunaga H, Tozawa H, Chikaoka Y, Nakaki R, Echigo A, Kohro T, Sone H, Wada Y. Low-dose radiation induces unstable gene expression in developing human iPSC-derived retinal ganglion organoids. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12888. [PMID: 37558727 PMCID: PMC10412642 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of low-dose radiation on undifferentiated cells carry important implications. However, the effects on developing retinal cells remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the gene expression characteristics of neuronal organoids containing immature human retinal cells under low-dose radiation and predicted their changes. Developing retinal cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were irradiated with either 30 or 180 mGy on days 4-5 of development for 24 h. Genome-wide gene expression was observed until day 35. A knowledge-based pathway analysis algorithm revealed fluctuations in Rho signaling and many other pathways. After a month, the levels of an essential transcription factor of eye development, the proportion of paired box 6 (PAX6)-positive cells, and the proportion of retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-specific transcription factor POU class 4 homeobox 2 (POU4F2)-positive cells increased with 30 mGy of irradiation. In contrast, they decreased after 180 mGy of irradiation. Activation of the "development of neurons" pathway after 180 mGy indicated the dedifferentiation and development of other neural cells. Fluctuating effects after low-dose radiation exposure suggest that developing retinal cells employ hormesis and dedifferentiation mechanisms in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Katsura
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Reiwa Eye Clinic, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Urade
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nansai
- Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mika Kobayashi
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akashi Taguchi
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Ishikawa
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ito
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hisako Fukunaga
- Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideto Tozawa
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Chikaoka
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Takahide Kohro
- Department of Clinical Informatics, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hideko Sone
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
- Environmental Health and Prevention Research Unit, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Youichiro Wada
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Hamada N. Noncancer Effects of Ionizing Radiation Exposure on the Eye, the Circulatory System and beyond: Developments made since the 2011 ICRP Statement on Tissue Reactions. Radiat Res 2023; 200:188-216. [PMID: 37410098 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00030.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
For radiation protection purposes, noncancer effects with a threshold-type dose-response relationship have been classified as tissue reactions (formerly called nonstochastic or deterministic effects), and equivalent dose limits aim to prevent occurrence of such tissue reactions. Accumulating evidence demonstrates increased risks for several late occurring noncancer effects at doses and dose rates much lower than previously considered. In 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) issued a statement on tissue reactions to recommend a threshold of 0.5 Gy to the lens of the eye for cataracts and to the heart and brain for diseases of the circulatory system (DCS), independent of dose rate. Literature published thereafter continues to provide updated knowledge. Increased risks for cataracts below 0.5 Gy have been reported in several cohorts (e.g., including in those receiving protracted or chronic exposures). A dose threshold for cataracts is less evident with longer follow-up, with limited evidence available for risk of cataract removal surgery. There is emerging evidence for risk of normal-tension glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, but the long-held tenet that the lens represents among the most radiosensitive tissues in the eye and in the body seems to remain unchanged. For DCS, increased risks have been reported in various cohorts, but the existence or otherwise of a dose threshold is unclear. The level of risk is less uncertain at lower dose and lower dose rate, with the possibility that risk per unit dose is greater at lower doses and dose rates. Target organs and tissues for DCS are also unknown, but may include heart, large blood vessels and kidneys. Identification of potential factors (e.g., sex, age, lifestyle factors, coexposures, comorbidities, genetics and epigenetics) that may modify radiation risk of cataracts and DCS would be important. Other noncancer effects on the radar include neurological effects (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia) of which elevated risk has increasingly been reported. These late occurring noncancer effects tend to deviate from the definition of tissue reactions, necessitating more scientific developments to reconsider the radiation effect classification system and risk management. This paper gives an overview of historical developments made in ICRP prior to the 2011 statement and an update on relevant developments made since the 2011 ICRP statement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Chiba, Japan
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Abstract
PURPOSE Cataract (opacification of the ocular lens) is a typical tissue reaction (deterministic effect) following ionizing radiation exposure, for which prevention dose limits have been recommended in the radiation protection system. Manifestations of radiation cataracts can vary among individuals, but such potential individual responses remain uncharacterized. Here we review relevant literature and discuss implications for radiation protection. This review assesses evidence for significant modification of radiation-induced cataractogenesis by age at exposure, sex and genetic factors based on current scientific literature. CONCLUSIONS In addition to obvious physical factors (e.g. dose, dose rate, radiation quality, irradiation volume), potential factors modifying individual responses for radiation cataracts include sex, age and genetics, with comorbidity and coexposures also having important roles. There are indications and preliminary data identifying such potential modifiers of radiation cataract incidence or risk, although no firm conclusions can yet be drawn. Further studies and a consensus on the evidence are needed to gain deeper insights into factors determining individual responses regarding radiation cataracts and the implications for radiation protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen G R Barnard
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division (RCEHD), Didcot, UK
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Tokyo, Japan
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Yokoyama S, Hamada N, Tsujimura N, Kunugita N, Nishida K, Ezaki I, Kato M, Okubo H. Regulatory implementation of the occupational equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye and underlying relevant efforts in Japan. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:604-619. [PMID: 35980737 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2115160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
In April 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended reducing the occupational equivalent dose limit for the lens. Such a new occupational lens dose limit has thus far been implemented in many countries, and there are extensive discussions toward its regulatory implementation in other countries. In Japan, discussions in the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS) began in April 2013 and in Radiation Council in July 2017, and the new occupational lens dose limit was implemented into regulation in April 2021. To share our experience, we have published a series of papers summarizing situations in Japan: the first paper based on information available by early 2017, and the second paper by early 2019. This paper (our third paper of this series) aims to review updated information available by mid-2022, such as regarding regulatory implementation of the new occupational lens dose limit, recent discussions by relevant ministries based on the opinion from the council, establishment process of safety and health management systems, the JHPS guidelines on lens dose monitoring and radiation safety, voluntary countermeasures of the licensees, development of lens dose calibration method, and recent studies on exposure of the lens in nuclear workers and biological effect on the lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumi Yokoyama
- Research Promotion Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Tsujimura
- Radiation Protection Department, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoki Kunugita
- School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Nishida
- Radiological Management Group, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc, Fukui, Japan
| | - Iwao Ezaki
- Technical Group, Nuclear Power Plant Business Headquarters, Chiyoda Technol Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kato
- Ionizing Radiation Standards Group, National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hideki Okubo
- Radiological Health and Safety Center Nuclear Safe Management Department, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc, Tokyo, Japan
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