A nonhuman primate model of human radiation-induced venocclusive liver disease and hepatocyte injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human liver has an unusual sensitivity to radiation that limits its use in cancer therapy or in preconditioning for hepatocyte transplantation. Because the characteristic veno-occlusive lesions of radiation-induced liver disease do not occur in rodents, there has been no experimental model to investigate the limits of safe radiation therapy or explore the pathogenesis of hepatic veno-occlusive disease.

Methods and materials

We performed a dose-escalation study in a primate, the cynomolgus monkey, using hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy in 13 animals.

Results

At doses ≥40 Gy, animals developed a systemic syndrome resembling human radiation-induced liver disease, consisting of decreased albumin, elevated alkaline phosphatase, loss of appetite, a

SUBMITTER: Yannam GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3905315 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature