Bystander effects in both hypoxic cancer and normal cells under FLASH irradiation using proton microbeams

PURPOSE: Emerging evidence supports that ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) FLASH irradiation spares normal tissues while preserving tumor control. However, the mechanisms of radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE) in both cancer and normal cells under hypoxic conditions following FLASH proton microbeam irradiation remain poorly understood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, confluent A549 lung cancer cells and TIG-1 normal lung fibroblasts were irradiated with a total dose of 10 Gy using a proton microbeam at dose rates of 23 or 920 Gy/s under hypoxic conditions. RESULTS: A sparing effect was observed in both hypoxia-treated bystander cancer and normal cells following FLASH irradiation, suggesting a protective response. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is mediated by the connexin trend of reducing radiation-induced toxicity in hypoxia-treated bystander cancer and normal cells, indicating a protective effect of GJIC suppression. The protective effect of FLASH irradiation was more evident in normal cells compared to cancer cells under hypoxia, potentially due to differences in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity, a major regulator of antioxidant defense. CONCLUSIONS: These observations enhance current knowledge of the mechanisms mediating biological effects of FLASH irradiation and may support the development of optimized RT strategies to minimize treatment-associated toxicity, thereby enhancing the therapeutic ratio in cancer treatment.