A review of the relationship of reactive oxygen species with radiation-induced lung injuries

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a highly complex complication that can occur due to radiation therapy of thoracic tumors, bone marrow transplantation, and pretreatment with nuclear radiation, including acute radiation pneumonia and chronic radiation-induced pulmonary with fibrosis. The degree of RILI is related to the fractionation mode, dose distribution, V₂₀, and pulmonary function of patients. The main manifestations of RILI are dry cough, chest tightness, chest pain and low fever, even dyspnea. Antibiotic therapy is ineffective. RILI has a high mortality rate and impacts patients' quality of life. Currently, the pathogenesis of RILI mainly involves target cells, cytokines, immunoreaction, and the oxidative stress theory. We will review the research that focusses on the role of reactive oxygen species in the cytokine and oxidative stress theories as well as related RILI and correlative precaution measures. (authors)