biostudies-literatureUnknown12(34)Lu HRadiation 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 significantlyAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)e01797https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12442706biostudies-literatureFLASH Irradiation Modulates Immune Responses and Accelerates Lung Recovery: A Single-Cell Perspective.PMC12442706Dong GQuan CLi ZLi CLu HLi DWang CLiu QZhang LLi MXu JfalseFLASH Irradiation Modulates Immune Responses and Accelerates Lung Recovery: A Single-Cell Perspective.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 significantly2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T11:31:34.333Z2026-04-27T03:10:25.042ZS-EPMC124427064053631710.1002/advs.202501797