Proton radiobiology and uncertainties

Radiat Meas. 1999 Jun;30(3):383-92. doi: 10.1016/s1350-4487(99)00209-7.

Abstract

This paper briefly reviews proton radiobiology. Clinical applications of protons produced by accelerators have led to a significant biological literature that contributes to our goal of estimating the proton shielding requirements for human interplanetary missions. Protons are primarily a low-LET radiation with biological effects much like gamma radiation. There are however data indicating enhanced biological effectiveness for small doses of very low energy (<10 MeV) stopping protons, and some limited data for extremely high energy protons (>0.5 GeV).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cataract / etiology
  • Cell Physiological Phenomena / radiation effects*
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / radiation effects
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Linear Energy Transfer
  • Lymphocytes / radiation effects
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced
  • Protons*
  • Radiobiology*
  • Relative Biological Effectiveness
  • Seeds / radiation effects

Substances

  • Protons