Research progress in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced heart disease.

ABSTRACT: Radiotherapy (RT) is a cornerstone treatment for thoracic malignancies, but is associated with an increased risk of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD), a major cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. Ionizing radiation directly damages cellular components (proteins, lipids, and DNA), disrupts the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and activates enzymes such as NADPH oxidases, this leads to excessive production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress triggers the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway, pro-oxidative MAPK branch of IGF-1 signaling, and the pro-fibrotic TGF-β1 pathway. These cascades promote chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and microvascular damage, leading to myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction. Antioxidant a

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12757264 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature