Post-irradiation approaches to treatment of radiation injuries in the context of radiological terrorism and radiation accidents: a review. Int J Radiat Biol 2004 Jan;80(1):3-10
Date
02/06/2004Pubmed ID
14761845DOI
10.1080/09553000310001642920Scopus ID
2-s2.0-1642339513 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 79 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: Events of the recent past have focused attention on the possibility of radiological (nuclear) terrorism and on the implications of such terrorist threats for radiation accident preparedness. This review discusses recent advances in the knowledge about how radiation injuries from such events might be treated pharmacologically, and the practical barriers to clinical utilization of these approaches.
CONCLUSIONS: A wide range of pharmacological approaches are being developed in the laboratory that could greatly expand the ability to treat acute and chronic radiation injuries. However, there are currently a variety of practical and legal barriers that would prevent the actual clinical use of most of the approaches. There are also the potential weaknesses in most of the current programmes for dealing with the consequences of radiation accidents or nuclear terrorism, including the absence of widespread radiation biodosimetry capabilities and the resulting inability to triage. If a major radiation accident or terrorist event occurs, the lack of biodosimetry and treatment capabilities will be compounded by widespread public fear of 'radiation'.
Author List
Moulder JEMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Abnormalities, Radiation-InducedAngiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Antioxidants
Bone Marrow Diseases
Cataract
Chronic Disease
Cytokines
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Humans
Legislation, Drug
Nuclear Warfare
Patient Selection
Pentoxifylline
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Radiation Injuries
Radioactive Fallout
Radioactive Hazard Release
Radiometry
Renal Insufficiency
Respiratory Insufficiency
Risk Assessment
Soft Tissue Injuries
Terrorism
Treatment Outcome
Triage
