Active caspase-3 expression levels as bioindicator of individual radiosensitivity

Area of Science:

• Radiation oncology
• Cellular biology
• Biomarker discovery

Background:

• Personalized radiotherapy requires understanding individual responses to radiation.
• Active caspase-3 is crucial for initiating radiation-induced apoptosis.
• Variability in cellular response suggests a need for predictive biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate active caspase-3 expression as a biomarker for individual radiosensitivity.
• To determine optimal in vitro incubation time for measuring caspase-3 response.
• To assess inter-individual variations in caspase-3 levels post-irradiation.

Main Methods:

• Gamma irradiation (1, 2, 4 Gy) of peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy individuals.
• Ex vivo and in vitro incubation (24, 48, 72 hours) of irradiated samples.
• Flow cytometry analysis of active caspase-3 expression levels.

Main Results:

• A 24-hour incubation period effectively revealed correlations between radiation dose and caspase-3 expression.
• Significant inter-individual differences in active caspase-3 expression were observed for each radiation dose.
• Active caspase-3 levels showed a dose-dependent response with notable inter-individual variability.

Conclusions:

• Active caspase-3 expression in lymphocytes can serve as a reliable indicator of individual radiosensitivity.
• The developed methodology aids in predicting healthy tissue response to radiation.
• This approach supports the advancement of personalized radiotherapy for improved patient outcomes.