Protection against Radiation-Induced Carcinogenesis

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

We have finished a study exploring the influence of the gut microflora on radiation-induced carcinogenesis. The animal's gut microflora composition was modulated by use of an antibiotic cocktail in the drinking water prior to whole body radiation. We found that reducing the gut microflora 3 weeks before total body radiation (TBI) 3 weeks after shortened the lifespan of mice compared to TBI alone, implicating the importance of the gut microflora in radiation-induced carcinogenesis. We are near the end of a life span study in mice exposed to non-lethal 3 Gy TBI with and without rapamycin in their chow. Preliminary data show that rapamycin treatment extended the life span of mice compared to TBI alone by decreasing the induction of hepatocellular carcinomas. The study will be completed by the fall of 2022. Since rapamycin is FDA approved for use in humans, the protection it provides to radiation-induced carcinogenesis makes it a reasonable candidate for humans exposed to non-lethal TBI.