Transformation induced in C3H10T1/2 cells exposed to high LET radiations: an interpretation of the published data

Transformation frequencies induced in C3H10T1/2 cells exposed to acute and protracted doses of high LET radiations were analysed. The model used is based on the assumption that there is a brief period of high sensitivity to transformation in the cell cycle and takes into account the saturation observed at high doses with high and low LET radiation. Published fission spectrum neutron data, after acute irradiation in a wide dose interval from 0.05 to 5 Gy, were fitted to an equation. Assuming acute irradiation best fitted parameter values, transformation frequencies due to protracted or fractionated exposure were predicted and compared with experimental findings on fission and monoenergetic neutrons and on charged particles of LET between 40 and 150 keV.μm-1. The model's predictions were found to be closely consistent with the available experimental data. (Author)