The estimation of appropriateness of chromosomal aberration assay as a biological dosimetry based on cytogenetic investigation of lung cancer patients given non-uniform fractional exposures to high doses of therapeutic 60Co gamma-rays]

The objective of this study was to investigate in vivo the dose response of radiation induced chromosomal aberrations in human blood lymphocytes of lung cancer patients given non-uniform fractional exposures to high doses of therapeutic 60Co gamma-rays delivered synchronously with polychemotherapy. The chromosome aberration analysis was carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 13 lung cancer patients who manifested II to IV developmental clinical stage. During the course of radiotherapy they received the accumulated tumor dose ranged 47.5 to 70 Gy. The yield ofdicentrics, centric rings and fragments was measured in the blood samples taken before treatment, after the first day and after the complete course of radiotherapy. Based on cytogenetic measurements of 3 patients, the average tumor dose after the first day was estimated to be 2.1 to 3.0 Gy given that the corresponding physical dose was (1.0 Gy + 1.5 Gy). The quotient of the individual dose estimated by the frequency of aberrations to the physical dose after the complete course of radiotherapy was calculated for all 13 patients. The mean quotient was shown to be equal to 93 +/- 9% ranged 50 to 154%.