Laser spectroscopy studies of radiation effects on animal models and human systems

Abstract

Radiotherapy remains one of the major treatment modalities for cancer even though it is known to produce serious immediate, early-delayed and late delayed side effects. A study of biochemical processes taking place in the system following radiation therapy will be very important in understanding these effects. Spectroscopic methods provide very sensitive techniques for identification and determination of individual components in complex biological samples. Its applications in clinical diagnostics, both in-vitro and in-vivo, are being explored very vigorously at present. Effects of radiation exposure on living systems have been studied by several groups in the past. However, all such studies have been based on morphological and histopathological analyses which cannot usually give information on immediate or early delayed damages and many of the biochemical changes causing such damages. Practically no spectroscopic studies have been carried out in this area so far, in spite of the fact that information at a molecular level can be obtained by such studies at various stages after radiation exposure. This article describes the potential of laser Raman, fluorescence, and proteomics spectroscopy techniques for the evaluation of immediate, early-delayed and late-delayed radiation effects in mouse models and human systems. Techniques of Time-Delayed spectroscopy, Principal Component Analysis, and curve-fitting of spectra are used in interpretation of the complex spectral changes observed in trauma, administration of drugs and radiation exposure.