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Proton versus photon radiation–induced cell death in head and neck cancer cells
Author(s) -
Wang Li,
Han Shichao,
Zhu Jinming,
Wang Xiaochun,
Li Yuting,
Wang Zeming,
Lin Eric,
Wang Xiaofang,
Molkentine David P.,
Blanchard Pierre,
Yang Yining,
Zhang Ruiping,
Sahoo Narayan,
Gillin Michael,
Zhu Xiaorong Ronald,
Zhang Xiaodong,
Myers Jeffrey N.,
Frank Steven J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.25357
Subject(s) - head and neck cancer , proton , radiation , medicine , head and neck , cancer , physics , nuclear medicine , cancer research , nuclear physics , surgery
Background Photon (X‐ray) radiotherapy (XRT) kills cells via DNA damage, however, how proton radiotherapy (PRT) causes cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear. We investigated mechanisms of HNSCC cell death after XRT versus PRT. Methods We assessed type of death in 2 human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and two HPV‐negative cell lines: necrosis and apoptosis (Annexin‐V fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]); senescence (β‐galactosidase); and mitotic catastrophe (γ‐tubulin and diamidino‐phenylindole [DAPI]). Results The XRT‐induced or PRT‐induced cellular senescence and mitotic catastrophe in all cell lines studied suggested that PRT caused cell death to a greater extent than XRT. After PRT, mitotic catastrophe peaked in HPV‐negative and HPV‐positive cells at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. No obvious differences were noted in the extent of cell necrosis or apoptosis after XRT versus PRT. Conclusion Under the conditions and in the cell lines reported here, mitotic catastrophe and senescence were the major types of cell death induced by XRT and PRT, and PRT may be more effective.