CELL-SURVIVAL CURVES - DETERMINING FACTOR S, MODELS AND CONCEPTS

The cell survival curves depend on ''biological'' factors typical of t he irradiated material (cellular type, strain, origin, position in the mitotic cycle, oxygenation, temperature,...) and on ''physical'' fact ors in connection with the radiation quality (high or low LET radiatio n) and with its application modalities (dose rate, fractionation,...). The influence of these factors will be reviewed as well as the differ ent models and concepts used to interpret the shape of the curves. The ir role in radiotherapy will also be recalled.