Radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks and the radiosensitivity of human cells: a closer look
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Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Immunofluorescence Imaging of DNA Damage and Repair Foci in Human Colon Cancer Cells
Published on: June 9, 2020
N Foray1, C F Arlett, E P Malaise
1Laboratoire de Radiobiologie (URA-CNRS 1967) PR1-Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Abstract:
A large number of reports suggest that DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) play a major role in the radiation-induced killing of mammalian cells. However, the arguments supporting the relationship between DSB and radiosensitivity are generally indirect. Furthermore, care must be taken to allow for the possible impact of the techniques and of the experimental protocols on the relationship between DSB and cell death. The recent data on DSB induction, repair and misrepair in human cell lines and their correlation with intrinsic radiosensitivity are reviewed.
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