Ionizing radiation: molecular mechanisms, biological effects, and therapeutic targets
Wei W., Ren Y., Lan J., Yi J., Wang M., Zhang Y.
Narrative Review, published in Mol Biomed (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
- Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
- Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
- Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
- Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
- Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.
- Study type
- Narrative Review
- Journal
- Mol Biomed (2026)
- Reported sample size
- —
- Source database
- Europe PMC
- PMID
- 41507636
- PMCID
- PMC12783457
- DOI
- 10.1186/s43556-025-00358-4
- Citations
- 4
Abstract (original English)
Radiation-induced injury remains a significant challenge in the radiotherapy of cancer patients. Ionizing radiation causes various cellular and molecular damages, leading to both acute and chronic organ dysfunction. Its impact extends beyond interrupting standard treatment protocols and adversely affects the quality of life. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying radiation-induced injury and identifying effective treatment strategies are crucial. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of radiation-induced injury across various organs and systems, particularly in the lung, gastrointestinal system, brain, skin, and bone. We highlight the roles of oxidative stress, DNA damage response, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetics in radiation pathology, and summarize the relevant signaling pathways and cellular responses involved in radiation damage. Additionally, we discuss the common symptoms, risk factors, and current diagnostic strategies of radiation-induced injuries. Furthermore, this article provides an in-depth review of effective clinical treatments, elucidates their mechanisms of action, and highlights emerging therapeutic approaches, such as stem cell therapy, nanomedicine, and exosome-based interventions, in clinical practice. Despite significant advances in understanding radiation-induced injury, challenges
What this study does not prove
- • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
- • This is a narrative review: it collects no new patient data and does not systematically appraise evidence quality.
Evidence level
Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.
How we grade evidenceBrowse all related research
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