Abstract:
Ionising radiation (IR) is a form of energy that travels as electromagnetic waves or
particles. While it is vital in medical and occupational health settings, IR can also
damage DNA, leading to mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and
transcriptional changes that disrupt the functions of certain cell regulators,
genes, and transcription factors. These disruptions can alter functions critical
for cancer development, progression, and treatment response. Additionally, IR
can affect various cellular proteins and their regulators within different cell
signalling pathways, resulting in physiological changes that may promote
cancer development, progression, and resistance to treatment. Understanding
these impacts is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the harmful
effects of IR exposure and improve cancer treatment outcomes. This review
focuses on specific genes and protein biomarkers regulated in response to
chronic IR exposure, and how their regulation impacts disease onset,
progression, and treatment response.
