Epigenetic modifications in radiation-induced non-targeted effects and their clinical significance

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation (IR) plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Besides the targeted effects, the non-targeted effects, which cause damage to non-irradiated cells and genomic instability in normal tissues, also play a role in the side effects of radiotherapy and have been shown to involve both alterations in DNA sequence and regulation of epigenetic modifications.

Scope of review: We summarize the recent findings regarding epigenetic modifications that are involved in radiation-induced non-targeted effects as well as their clinical significance in radiotherapy and radioprotection.

Major conclusions: Epigenetic modifications play an important role in both the realization and modulation of radiobiological effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying non-targeted effects still need to be clarified.

General significance: A better understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms related to radiation-induced non-targeted effects will guide both individualized clinical radiotherapy and individualized precise radioprotection.

Keywords: Clinical significance; Epigenetics; Non-targeted effects; Radiation.