Summary
Although extension of the time period during which a given dose of radiation is administered commonly reduces effectiveness, there are well established instances where the reverse is true. Theoretical considerations are presented which relate reduction or enhancement to the shape of the dose-effect curve. While in many instances these changes of sensitivity may be due to intracellular processes it appears that in the case of carcinogenesis by low doses of neutrons, time dependent intercellular action must be involved.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rossi HH (1980) Biophysical mechanisms of radiogenic cancer. In: Meyn RE, Whithers HR (eds) Radiation biology in cancer research. Raven Press, New York, pp 185–191
ICRU Report 33. Radiation quantities and units. International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements, Washington, DC
Rossi HH (1979) The role of microdosimetry in radiobiology. Radiat Environ Biophys 17: 29–40
Elkind MM, Sutton H (1960) Radiation response of mammalian cells grown in culture. 1. Repair of X-ray damage in surviving chinese hamster cells. Radiat Res 13: 556–593
Hall EJ, Bedford JS (1965) Dose-rate: Its effect on the survival of HeLa cells irradiated with gamma rays. Radiat Res 22: 305
Kellerer AM, Rossi HH (1972) The theory of dual radiation action. Curr Top Radiat Res 8: 85–158
Rossi HH, Kellerer AM (1973) Biological implications of microdosimetry: 1. Temporal aspects. Proc. 4th Symp Microdosimetry. Verbania, Italy, pp 315–330
Miller R, Hall EJ, Rossi HH (1979) Oncogenic transformation of mammalian cells in vitro with split doses of X-rays. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76: 5755–5758
Hall EJ, Miller RC (1981) The how and why of in vitro transformation. Radiat Res 87: 208–223
Borek C, Hall EJ, Rossi HH (1978) Malignant transformation in Cultured hamster embryo cells produced by X-rays, 430 keV monoenergetic neutrons, and heavy ions. Cancer Res 38: 2997–3005
Rossi HH, Kellerer AM (1972) Radiation carcinogenesis at low doses. Science 175: 200–202
Shellabarger C, Chmelevsky D, Kellerer AM (1980) Induction of mammary neoplasms in the Sprague-Dawley rat by 430 keV neutrons and X-rays. J Natl Cancer Inst 64: 821–833
Rossi HH (1977) The effects of small doses of ionizing radiation: Fundamental biophysical characteristics. Radiat Res 71: 1–8
Vogel H (1981) Mammary neoplasia following acute and protracted irradiation with fission neutrons and60Co gamma rays. Radiat Res 87: 453
Ullrich RL (1980) Effects of split doses of X-rays or neutrons on lung tumor formation in RFM mice. Radiat Res 83: 138–145
Ullrich RL, Jernigan MC, Storer JB (1977) Neutron carcinogenesis: Dose and dose-rate effects in BALB/c mice. Radiat Res 72: 487–498
Thomson JF, Williamson FS, Grahn D, Ainsworth EJ (1981) Life shortening in mice exposed to fission neutrons and rays. 1. Single and short-term fractionated exposures. Radiat Res 86: 559–572
Storer JB (1975) Radiation carcinogenesis. In: Becker FF (ed) Cancer - a comprehensive treatise, vol I. Plenum Publ. Corp., New York, pp 453–483
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by Contract DE-AC02-78EV04733 from the Department of Energy and by Grant Nos. CA 12536 and CA 15307 to the Radiological Research Laboratory/Department of Radiology, and by Grant No. CA 13696 to the Cancer Center/Institute of Cancer Research, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, DHHS
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rossi, H.H. Considerations on the time factor in radiobiology. Radiat Environ Biophys 20, 1–9 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323921
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323921