FLASH Irradiation Modulates Immune Responses and Accelerates Lung Recovery: A Single-Cell Perspective.

ABSTRACT: Radiation therapy (RT) is essential for treating thoracic malignancies but often causes significant lung damage. FLASH-RT, an ultra-high dose rate irradiation technique, shows potential in reducing radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) while maintaining tumor control. However, the underlying immune mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the immune and cellular responses to FLASH-RT versus conventional dose rate (CONV) RT during the early phase of RILI. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), a dynamic landscape of the lung microenvironment is pictured during RILI within one-week post-irradiation. The analysis reveals that FLASH-RT induces a more immediate but transient cellular response, while CONV-RT causes sustained inflammation. FLASH irradiation significantly

SUBMITTER: Lu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12442706 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature