Research progress of radiation induced bystander and abscopal effects in normal tissue

Abstract

Radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) and abscopal effect (RIAE) are non-target cellular responses outside the radiation field. It has been recognized that these effects are of great significance to both radiation protection of environmental low-dose radiation and clinical radiotherapy in which the anti-tumor abscopal effect is even beneficial to patients. However, the mechanisms of them are still obscure. This review briefly introduced the inflammatory signaling factors and immune regulation in RIBE in vitro and RIAE on normal tissues and organisms, and emphasized the genetic consequences of RIAE. Based on a large number of investigation results, we suggest that it’s time to incorporate RIBE and RIAE into the concept of “classic” radiation biology.

Keywords

• Radiation
• Bystander effect
• Abscopal effect
• Signaling factors
• Immune regulation