The effectiveness of radiotherapy treatment could be significantly improved if tumour cells could be rendered more sensitive to ionising radiation without altering the sensitivity of normal tissues. However, many of the key mechanisms that determine intrinsic tumour radiosensitivity are largely unknown. This thesis is concerned with the identification of novel determinants of tumour radiosensitivity. A siRNA screen of 200 genes involved in DNA damage repair was conducted using γH2AX foci post-irradiation as a marker of cell damage. This screen identified POLQ as a potential tumour-specific contributor to radioresistance. Subsequent investigations demonstrated that POLQ knockdown resulted in radiosensitisation of a panel of tumour cell lines, whilst having little or no effect on normal tissue cell lines. It was subsequently shown that POLQ depletion rendered tumour cells significantly more sensitive to several classes of cytotoxic agents. Following exposure to etoposide, it was found that tumour cells depleted of POLQ had reduced RAD51 foci formation, suggesting that POLQ is involved in homologous recombination. A homologous recombination assay was used to confirm that POLQ depletion does indeed result in reduced homologous recombination efficiency. These findings led to the investigation of the clinical significance of tumour overexpression of POLQ. The clinical outcomes of patients with early breast cancer were correlated with tumour expression levels of POLQ. It was found that POLQ overexpression was correlated with ER negative disease and high tumour grade, both of which are associated with poor clinical outcomes. POLQ overexpression was associated with extremely poor relapse free survival rates, independently of any other clinical or pathological feature. The mechanism that causes this adverse outcome may in part arise from resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. These findings, combined with the limited normal tissue expression of POLQ, make it an appealing target for possible clinical exploitation.

Current approaches aimed at improving the efficacy of radiation as a cancer treatment modality involve the development and application of molecularly targeted radiosensitizers, a strategy that requires a thorough understanding of the fundamental processes comprising the cellular radioresponse. Recent data indicating that radiation modifies gene expression primarily through translational control rather than transcriptional events suggests that mRNA translation contributes to cell survival after irradiation. The overall goal of this project is to determine whether the regulatory/rate-limiting components of the translational machinery provide targets for tumor cell radiosensitization. The majority of translation in mammalian cells occurs in a cap-dependent manner and is highly dependent on eIF4E. As such, we investigated a regulatory role for eIF4E in cellular radiosensitivity. eIF4E knockdown enhanced the radiosensitivity of tumor but not normal cells. eIF4E knockdown inhibited the dispersal of radiation-induced γH2AX foci. Furthermore, radiation was found to increase the binding of >1000 unique mRNAs to eIF4E, many involved in DNA replication, recombination, and repair. S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), also an important regulatory component of the translational machinery, enhances the translation of specific mRNA subpopulations, independent from eIF4E, and mediates ribosome biogenesis. The role of S6K1 in determing cell survival after radiation was determined in several tumor cell lines and one normal cell line. S6K1 knockdown enhanced the radiosensitivity of all 3 tumor lines. In contrast S6K1 knockdown had no effect on the cellular radiosensitivity of the one normal line tested. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a critical kinase in the regulation of gene translation and has been suggested as a potential target for radiosensitization. Importantly, it plays a major role in regulating eIF4E availability as well as S6K1 activity. The radiosensitizing activities of the allosteric mTOR inhibitor rapamycin with that of the ATP competitive mTOR inhibitor PP242 were compared. Based on immunoblot analyses, whereas rapamycin only partially inhibited mTORC1 activity and had no effect on mTORC2, PP242 inhibited the activity of both mTOR containing complexes. In the two tumor cell lines evaluated, PP242 treatment 1h before irradiation increased radiosensitivity, whereas rapamycin had no effect. PP242 had no effect on the cellular radiosensitivity of a normal lung fibroblast line. PP242 exposure did not influence the initial level of γH2AX foci after irradiation, but did significantly delay the dispersal of radiation-induced γH2AX foci. Finally, PP242 administration to mice bearing U251 xenografts enhanced radiation-induced tumor growth delay. A next generation analog of PP242, INK128, is currently undergoing analysis in clinical trials. Given our data showing ATP-competitive mTOR inhibition is a strategy for tumor radiosensitization as well as the fact that radiotherapy is a primary treatment modality for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the effects of INK128 on pancreatic cancer radiosensitivity were determined. In three pancreatic cancer cell lines addition of INK128 immediately after radiation resulted in radiosensitization. Consistent with the effects of PP242 on other cell lines, INK128 exposure did not influence the initial level of γH2AX foci after irradiation, but did significantly delay the dispersal of radiation-induced γH2AX foci. Furthermore, in pancreatic tumor xenografts INK128 inhibits mTOR activity as well as cap-complex formation in a time-dependent manner. Lastly, INK128 treatment significantly prolonged the radiation-induced tumor growth delay of pancreatic tumor xenografts. In summary, the data provided in this thesis have begun to characterize the role of the translational machinery in determining the cellular response to radiation.

No description available.

Le mélanome est une tumeur réputée radiorésistante. Ceci est conforté par ses caractéristiques radiobiologiques observées notamment in vitro. Le mélanocyte dont la transformation maligne engendre cette tumeur est le siège d’un métabolisme unique, la mélanogenèse. Celle-ci produit des pigments bien connus dans leur rôle de photoprotecteurs, mais leur éventuelle participation à une modulation de la sensibilité de ces cellules aux radiations ionisantes bien que suggérée dans la littérature, ne révèle que quelques résultats publiés criticables voire contradictoires. Notre travail s’est intéressé à préciser les rôles des pigments et du stress oxydant généré par les radiations ionisantes dans la modulation de la radiosensibilité du mélanocyte malin et d’en évaluer l’impact aussi bien sur la survie cellulaire, les lésions à l'ADN qu' aux processus de mort cellulaire. Nos résultats montrent que la nature du pigment, les eumélanines (pigment brun ou noir) en particulier ainsi que leur quantité influencent directement la radiosensibilité des cellules en terme de survie. Ceci a été démontré aussi bien en comparant des lignées cellulaires de pigmentation différentes qu’en stimulant cette dernière par son précurseur naturel, la tyrosine. D’autre part et d’une manière inattendue, l’altération de la barrière chimique cellulaire la plus importante que représentent les radioprotecteurs :Glutathion et son précurseur, Cystéine, semble favoriser la survie des mélanocytes malins au lieu d’en augmenter la radiosensibilité. Or, ces deux molécules sont aussi impliquées dans la mélanogenèse et entrent même dans la composition d’un type de pigments riches en soufre que sont les phaeomélanines. La mesure de la balance des deux types de pigments dans ces conditions nous a fourni un élément de réponse :en absence de GSH et surtout de Cys, l’eumélanogenèse a été favorisée en rejoignant ainsi nos premiers résultats concernant la manipulation des pigments. Nous avons également examiné les lésions immédiates à l’ADN occasionnées par l’irradiation dans les mêmes conditions que pour la survie cellulaire. Nos résultats montrent une protection significative de l’ADN lorsque la pigmentation est stimulée soit par la tyrosine, soit par déplétion de cystéine. Aussi une corrélation a pu être établie entre ces effets, l’aboutissement de l’apoptose radioinduite et la survie cellulaire. Enfin, nous nous sommes intéressés à la stimulation directe de la mélanogenèse par les radiations ionisantes. Nous avons observé un effet activateur dose-dépendant sur la tyrosinase, l’enzyme-clé de la pigmentation. Les mécanismes par lesquels les pigments, spécialement les eumélanines, agissent, pourraient être liés aux propriétés protectrices connues pour ces pigments comme pièges des radicaux libres. Cependant, une interaction directe des radiations avec le polymère solide, lui-même contenant des métaux lourds, n’est pas à écarter. En conclusion, les mélanines semblent fortement impliquées dans la modulation de la radiosensibilité du mélanocyte malin et peuvent compenser la perte des deux radioprotecteurs cellulaires les plus importants, le Glutathion et surtout la Cystéine. Est-ce qu’une stratégie consistant en l’inhibition de la formation de pigments trouverait sa place en radiothérapie du mélanome ?est une question ouverte par ce travail. / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

O glioblastoma (GBM) é o tumor primário do sistema nervoso central mais frequente no adulto, com sobrevida média de aproximadamente 12 meses. Múltiplas alterações genéticas e epigenéticas presentes neste tumor determinam sua biologia e fenótipo bastante agressivos. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou estudar a expressão dos genes envolvidos no Índice de Radiossensibilidade (RSI) e do gene MGMT em amostras de tumor primário humano de GBM, buscando identificar a associação destes com radiossensibilidade e sobrevida. Foram analisadas as características epidemiológicas, de evolução e desfecho clínico de 28 pacientes com GBM que fizeram uso de temozolamida (TMZ), cujos prontuários físicos e eletrônicos foram revisados no Serviço de Arquivo Médico (SAM) e Sistema Athos. Foi observado que 64,29% dos pacientes possuíam mais de 50 anos de idade e eram do sexo masculino; 86,36% possuíam o Karnofsky Performance Status acima ou igual a 80%; 57,14% possuíam localização não eloquente; 78,57% apresentavam lesão residual; 89,29% não foram reexpostos à radioterapia; 64,29% não fizeram uso de temozolamida metronômica; 96,43% não foram submetidos a outra quimioterapia; 78,57% não realizaram reabordagem cirúrgica; 60,71% tiveram progressão tardia e/ou não tiveram progressão da doença. Também foi evidenciado que tanto a regressão bruta de cada gene separadamente, quanto a regressão ajustada para os fatores clínicos mais relevantes (idade ao diagnóstico, localização do tumor e presença de lesão residual) não evidenciaram significância estatística em relação à progressão tardia. A relação entre o tempo de sobrevida global e a expressão dos genes ajustada para os mesmos fatores clínicos evidenciou significância estatística para os genes RELA (HR 1,265 / p = 0,01); c-Jun (HR 1,237 / p = 0,03) e c-ABL (HR 0,33 / p = 0,04). A análise de sobrevida livre de progressão ajustada mostrou diferença significativa (p = 0,04) entre os grupos com tumor de localização eloquente e não eloquente, assim como para a expressão do gene RELA (HR 1,107 / p = 0,03). Em relação à expressão gênica e a sobrevida global ou sobrevida livre de progressão dos pacientes pelo teste de Log-rank não foi observada diferença estatística. Na análise da expressão gênica com as variáveis clínico-epidemiológicas, a expressão do gene SUMO1 foi significativamente aumentada (p = 0,009) no grupo com progressão tardia com relação ao grupo com progressão precoce da doença, a expressão do AR apresentou aumento significativo (p = 0,021) no grupo em que a TMZ metronômica não foi administrada e as expressões dos genes RELA (p = 0,03),c-Jun (p = 0,005), STAT1 (p = 0.009) e HDAC1 (p = 0.044) estava elevada nos pacientes que apresentaram o exame neurológico pré-operatório normal. Esses dados indicam que o conjunto dos genes do RSI e o MGMT não demonstraram ser preditores de radiossensibilidade. Podemos inferir que RELA, c-Jun e c-ABL são potenciais marcadores de pior prognóstico e que SUMO1 pode ser um marcador de bom prognóstico / Glioblastoma (GBM) is the primary tumor of the central nervous system most common in adults, with a median survival of approximately 12 months. Multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations present in this tumor determine its biology and phenotype very aggressive. Thus, the present study aimed to study the expression of genes involved in radiosensitivity index (RSI) and the MGMT gene in GBM human primary tumor samples, seeking to identify the association of these with radiosensitivity and survival. The epidemiological evolution and clinical characteristics of 28 GBM patients who used temozolamide (TMZ), whose physical and electronic medical records were reviewed in the Medical File Service (SAM) and Athos System, were analyzed. It was observed that 64.29% of the patients were over 50 years of age and were male; 86.36% had Karnofsky Performance Status of 80 or more; 57.14% had no eloquent location; 78.57% had residual lesion; 89.29% did not have reexposure to radiotherapy; 64.29% did not use metronomic temozolamide; 96.43% did not undergo another chemotherapy; 78.57% did not undergo surgical reassessment; 60.71% had late progression and / or had no disease progression. It was also evidenced that both the gross regression of each gene separately and the regression adjusted for the most relevant clinical factors (age at diagnosis, tumor location and presence of residual lesion) did not show statistical significance in relation to the late progression. The relationship between overall survival time and gene expression adjusted for the same clinical factors showed statistical significance for RELA genes (HR 1.265 / p = 0.01), c-Jun (HR 1.237 / p = 0.03) and c-ABL (HR 0.33 / p = 0.04). Adjusted progression-free survival analysis showed a significant difference (p = 0.04) between the groups with eloquent and noneloquent localization, as well as RELA gene expression (HR 1,107 / p = 0.03). Regarding the gene expression and overall survival or progression-free survival of the patients by the Logrank test, no statistical difference was observed. In the analysis of the expression genes with the clinical-epidemiological variables the expression of the SUMO1 gene was significantly increased (p = 0.009) in the group with late progression in relation to the group with early disease progression, the expression of AR showed a significant increase (p = 0.021) in the group in which the metronomic TMZ was not administered and the RELA (p = 0.03), c-Jun (p = 0.005), STAT1 (p = 0.009) and HDAC1 (p = 0.044) gene expressions were elevated in patients who had normal preoperative neurologic examination. These data indicate that the set of RSIgenes and MGMT were not shown to be predictors of radiosensitivity. We can infer that RELA, c-Jun and c-ABL are potential markers of worse prognosis and that SUMO1 may be a marker of good prognosis

O glioblastoma (GBM) é o tumor primário do sistema nervoso central mais frequente no adulto, com sobrevida média de aproximadamente 12 meses. Múltiplas alterações genéticas e epigenéticas presentes neste tumor determinam sua biologia e fenótipo bastante agressivos. Assim, o presente estudo objetivou estudar a expressão dos genes envolvidos no Índice de Radiossensibilidade (RSI) e do gene MGMT em amostras de tumor primário humano de GBM, buscando identificar a associação destes com radiossensibilidade e sobrevida. Foram analisadas as características epidemiológicas, de evolução e desfecho clínico de 28 pacientes com GBM que fizeram uso de temozolamida (TMZ), cujos prontuários físicos e eletrônicos foram revisados no Serviço de Arquivo Médico (SAM) e Sistema Athos. Foi observado que 64,29% dos pacientes possuíam mais de 50 anos de idade e eram do sexo masculino; 86,36% possuíam o Karnofsky Performance Status acima ou igual a 80%; 57,14% possuíam localização não eloquente; 78,57% apresentavam lesão residual; 89,29% não foram reexpostos à radioterapia; 64,29% não fizeram uso de temozolamida metronômica; 96,43% não foram submetidos a outra quimioterapia; 78,57% não realizaram reabordagem cirúrgica; 60,71% tiveram progressão tardia e/ou não tiveram progressão da doença. Também foi evidenciado que tanto a regressão bruta de cada gene separadamente, quanto a regressão ajustada para os fatores clínicos mais relevantes (idade ao diagnóstico, localização do tumor e presença de lesão residual) não evidenciaram significância estatística em relação à progressão tardia. A relação entre o tempo de sobrevida global e a expressão dos genes ajustada para os mesmos fatores clínicos evidenciou significância estatística para os genes RELA (HR 1,265 / p = 0,01); c-Jun (HR 1,237 / p = 0,03) e c-ABL (HR 0,33 / p = 0,04). A análise de sobrevida livre de progressão ajustada mostrou diferença significativa (p = 0,04) entre os grupos com tumor de localização eloquente e não eloquente, assim como para a expressão do gene RELA (HR 1,107 / p = 0,03). Em relação à expressão gênica e a sobrevida global ou sobrevida livre de progressão dos pacientes pelo teste de Log-rank não foi observada diferença estatística. Na análise da expressão gênica com as variáveis clínico-epidemiológicas, a expressão do gene SUMO1 foi significativamente aumentada (p = 0,009) no grupo com progressão tardia com relação ao grupo com progressão precoce da doença, a expressão do AR apresentou aumento significativo (p = 0,021) no grupo em que a TMZ metronômica não foi administrada e as expressões dos genes RELA (p = 0,03),c-Jun (p = 0,005), STAT1 (p = 0.009) e HDAC1 (p = 0.044) estava elevada nos pacientes que apresentaram o exame neurológico pré-operatório normal. Esses dados indicam que o conjunto dos genes do RSI e o MGMT não demonstraram ser preditores de radiossensibilidade. Podemos inferir que RELA, c-Jun e c-ABL são potenciais marcadores de pior prognóstico e que SUMO1 pode ser um marcador de bom prognóstico / Glioblastoma (GBM) is the primary tumor of the central nervous system most common in adults, with a median survival of approximately 12 months. Multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations present in this tumor determine its biology and phenotype very aggressive. Thus, the present study aimed to study the expression of genes involved in radiosensitivity index (RSI) and the MGMT gene in GBM human primary tumor samples, seeking to identify the association of these with radiosensitivity and survival. The epidemiological evolution and clinical characteristics of 28 GBM patients who used temozolamide (TMZ), whose physical and electronic medical records were reviewed in the Medical File Service (SAM) and Athos System, were analyzed. It was observed that 64.29% of the patients were over 50 years of age and were male; 86.36% had Karnofsky Performance Status of 80 or more; 57.14% had no eloquent location; 78.57% had residual lesion; 89.29% did not have reexposure to radiotherapy; 64.29% did not use metronomic temozolamide; 96.43% did not undergo another chemotherapy; 78.57% did not undergo surgical reassessment; 60.71% had late progression and / or had no disease progression. It was also evidenced that both the gross regression of each gene separately and the regression adjusted for the most relevant clinical factors (age at diagnosis, tumor location and presence of residual lesion) did not show statistical significance in relation to the late progression. The relationship between overall survival time and gene expression adjusted for the same clinical factors showed statistical significance for RELA genes (HR 1.265 / p = 0.01), c-Jun (HR 1.237 / p = 0.03) and c-ABL (HR 0.33 / p = 0.04). Adjusted progression-free survival analysis showed a significant difference (p = 0.04) between the groups with eloquent and noneloquent localization, as well as RELA gene expression (HR 1,107 / p = 0.03). Regarding the gene expression and overall survival or progression-free survival of the patients by the Logrank test, no statistical difference was observed. In the analysis of the expression genes with the clinical-epidemiological variables the expression of the SUMO1 gene was significantly increased (p = 0.009) in the group with late progression in relation to the group with early disease progression, the expression of AR showed a significant increase (p = 0.021) in the group in which the metronomic TMZ was not administered and the RELA (p = 0.03), c-Jun (p = 0.005), STAT1 (p = 0.009) and HDAC1 (p = 0.044) gene expressions were elevated in patients who had normal preoperative neurologic examination. These data indicate that the set of RSIgenes and MGMT were not shown to be predictors of radiosensitivity. We can infer that RELA, c-Jun and c-ABL are potential markers of worse prognosis and that SUMO1 may be a marker of good prognosis

<p>Threats from man-made radionuclides include waste issues, increasing number of power plants, underground bomb testing, nuclear weapons, and “dirty bombs”. Until recently the ionizing radiation protection system focused on protecting humans with an implied protection of biota. However, goals of sustainable development and precautionary principles for human activity are leading to an inclusion of plant and animal populations in the protection system.</p><p>From this perspective, the present thesis examines wetlands that function as sinks for the radionuclide 137Cs, and describes calculated and measured radiation doses to residing biota. Also, multi-level effects from exposure to low-dose rate ionizing radiation were studied. Accumulation of 137Cs after the Chernobyl accident fallout was studied in a riparian wetland with a mean activity concentration of 1 200 kBq m-2 in Sweden (paper I). A mass balance budget of 137Cs showed that the sedimentation of new material was balanced by the decay process of 137Cs in parts of the wetland (paper I).</p><p>Frogs were identified as organisms of concern in this wetland. Internal radiation doses, based on whole body measurements of frogs, were estimated to be lower than external doses based on soil samples (paper II). Current dose models for biota resulted in a wide range of doses depending on different levels of conservatism in the models. Therefore, in situ measurements with frog-phantoms were found to provide valuable dose information (paper III). Measured doses using frog-phantoms were lower than calculated doses using several dose models. Although a dose conversion factor by FASSET was found to be useful for comparison with measurements in the field. A higher dose was measured to the phantom surface in comparison to inner parts, i.e. the sensitive skin of frogs receives the highest dose. Estimated and measured radiation doses to frogs were below suggested dose rate limits.</p><p>Low-dose rate 137Cs exposure of eggs and tadpoles from three amphibian species, Scaphiopus holbrookii, Bufo terrestris, and Rana catesbeiana, showed no increased levels of strand breaks in red blood cells, and no effects on development, survival or growth up to metamorphosis (paper IV). The ecological factor larval density had a stronger effect on metamorphic traits than low-dose rate radiation. Higher levels of strand breaks were detected after an acute dose in R. catesbeiana than after a chronic dose supporting a dose rate limit for protection of amphibians rather than a dose limit (paper IV).</p><p>Based on current knowledge, frogs in the contaminated wetland are probably not exposed to radiation doses from 137Cs that are harmful for the population. However, variations in sensitivity between populations and species, and adaptive responses have been shown for amphibians exposed to other stressors. This supports further research on effects of chronic low-dose rates of ionizing radiation on amphibians.</p>

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.