Effects of Genistein Following Fractionated Lung Irradiation in Mice

Radiation therapy for lung cancer and cancers of the upper thorax is limited by side effects to normal tissue of the lung. An understanding of mechanisms leading to radiation induced lung damage is essential to developing protective agents. In this thesis an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent Genistein was investigated for its potential to affect DNA damage, tissue inflammation, functional deficits and survival. We hypothesized that chronic oxidative stress and the subsequent inflammatory response play a key role in the development of major lung complications, radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis. If side effects of radiation could be reduced, then larger doses could be delivered to the tumor with a better chance of eradicating the disease.MAS