RADIATION-INDUCED DNA DOUBLE-STRAND BREAKS AND THE RADIOSENSITIVITY OF HUMAN-CELLS - A CLOSER LOOK

A large number of reports suggest that DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) play a major role in the radiation-induce killing of mammalian cells. However, the arguments supporting the relationship between DSB and rad iosensitivity are generally indirect. Furthermore, care must be taken to allow for the possible impact of the techniques and of the experime ntal protocols on the relationship between DSB and cell death. The rec ent data on DSB induction, repair and misrepair in human cell lines an d their correlation with intrinsic radiosensitivity are reviewed.