Grant: Project Grant

Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, gamma-rays, and charged particles like protons, disrupts the chemical bonds in molecules, leading to the formation of numerous radical and reactive chemical species. These species are capable of altering biomolecules, notably causing DNA damage. Such modifications can significantly affect cellular functions, potentially triggering cell death. Ionization radiation plays a crucial role in cancer treatment, often used in conjunction with chemotherapy. The aim of radiotherapy is to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. A ground-breaking approach in cancer treatment is FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), which delivers lethal doses of radiation nearly instantaneously, vastly increasing the intensity of radiation over conventional methods that spread the dose across several minutes in a single session. Remarkably, the intensity of the radiation beam and short delivery time dramatically spare normal tissue while providing the same efficiency of killing toward cancer cells. Our research focuses on understanding how FLASH-RT operates at the molecular level, from the initial chemical reactions it triggers to the impact on cell damage and the broader biochemical and physiological responses that determine cell fate. By comparing the effects of FLASH-RT and conventional radiotherapy on both cancerous and normal cells, we aim to uncover the overall mechanism that makes FLASH-RT a promising alternative. This interdisciplinary investigation will connect basic science with translational clinical applications, guiding the optimization of FLASH-RT to enhance cancer treatment outcomes and minimize adverse effects on healthy tissues. Our ultimate goal is to leverage our discoveries to refine radiotherapeutic techniques, making FLASH-RT a pivotal tool in cancer management.