Experimental scheme of combined effect of radiation and chemical carcinogens: dose response relationship and molecular mechanism

Abstract

We are living in the environment with numerous natural and man-made chemicals that are cancer-initiating and promoting potentials. Thus exposure to radiation could be a result of interaction with these agents. However, the quantitative assessment and mechanistic understanding of combined effects of radiation and chemical carcinogens are still insufficient. Mechanism-based cancer model is expected to greatly improve the risk assessment. We have set up an experiment for the combined effect of radiation and chemicals in order to determine the dose-response relationship including low doses. The animal models used in the present study are murine thymic lymphoma and rat mammary cancer. The mode of modification of radiation effect by chemicals in terms of interaction between X-rays and alkylating agents will be discussed from the viewpoint of molecular mechanisms of cancer development. [J Radiat Res 44:396-397 (2003)]