FUNDAMENTAL RADIOBIOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO RADIATION ONCOLOGY

A brief overview of fundamental concepts in radiobiology is provided. The concept of cell survival as ability to retain reproductive integrity is introduced, and critical variables influencing the cell survival curve as a function of absorbed radiation dose are discussed. Application of these concepts to radiation oncology and radiotherapy is then outlined. Examples are provided of clinical studies that can be performed with current high-throughput molecular biology and imaging technology. The type of information derived from these studies and its potential are discussed in the context of radiotherapy trial design, radiotherapy schedule and modality tailoring, and planning of treatment dose. © 2009 Springer Science + Business Media B.V