Biodosimetry (USUHS)
Abstract
Biodosimetry (USUHS): For the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), this program supports applied research for advanced development of biomedical and biophysical strategies to assess health consequences from exposure to ionizing radiation. It capitalizes on findings under PE 0602787HP, Medical Technology, and from industry and academia to advance novel biological markers and delivery platforms for rapid, field-based individual dose assessment and experimental data needed to build accurate models for predicting casualties from complex injuries involving radiation and other battlefield insults. FY 2018 Plans: FY 2018 plans continue evaluation of radiation-induced biomarkers from the database of baboon studies as a nonhuman primate (NHP) model with utility to predict severity of hematopoietic (i.e. blood elements) acute radiation syndrome. Perform internal assessment of quality control program for radiation dose assessment by cytogenetics platform towards an eventual clinical laboratory certification. Develop algorithm using blood cell counts and biochemical biomarkers in NHP radiation dose response model. Initiate efforts to evaluate human blood samples from radiation therapy patients using panel of radiation-responsive biomarkers. Evaluate effects of radioprotectants on radiation risk categorization (RRIC) algorithm based on blood counts and blood chemistry tests using irradiated nonhuman primate archived data. FY 2018 Accomplishments: -Published report on the utility of radiation-induced biomarker panels used to develop an algorithm based on a baboon TBI vs PBI study to predict the severity of hematopoietic (i.e. blood elements) acute radiation syndrome demonstrating proof-of-concept that prognostic biomarkers can provide early-phase diagnostic information to guide medical treatment decisions for radiological casualties with life-threatening radiation exposures. -Performed an internal self-assessment of the quality control program for radiation dose assessment by cytogenetics to identify remaining tasks to support an eventual request for clinical laboratory certification. -Initiated discussions with radiation oncologists to evaluate human blood samples from radiation therapy patients using a panel of radiation-responsive biomarkers to validate novel approaches for radiation dose and injury assessment. -Reported on the utility of the early-phase changes after radiation exposure on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in various animal (i.e., mice, dogs, rhesus monkeys, and baboons) and human radiation model systems to provide the ability to access radiation exposure. -Developed algorithms applying blood cell and/or biochemical markers for assessing the efficacy of radioprotectants, using archived irradiated nonhuman primate data. -Reported on radiation quality effects (i.e., mixed field neutron vs gamma ray exposures) on hematopoietic biomarkers using an archived baboon radiation model. Established an ARS severity scoring system using the baboon model based on hematology changes that permits assessment of radiation injury independent of radiation quality and total vs partial-body exposures. -Participated in interagency collaboration with REAC/TS and the Naval Dosimetry Center to further design the concepts of operation for the US Biodosimetry Network. Reported these efforts at an international biodosimetry conference. - Demonstrated that total body irradiation (TBI) and partial body irradiation (PBI) resulted in decreases in splenocyte counts at a similar level as shown in both deceased minipigs exposed to TBI and survived minipigs exposed to PBI. The major difference was that the levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor in dead animals were remarkably higher than that in living ones. Therefore, IGF-1 could be a good biomarker for radiation exposure and a determinant for lethality. Unlike minipigs, IGF-1 levels in blood of mice did not have such distinct difference between dead living mice. - Demonstrated that ATP decreased after TBI in minipigs and mice. The underlying mechanism with ATP decreases were explored successfully and understood in mice, suggesting that ATP biogenesis and maintenance after irradiation is one of major targets for developing remedial drugs in both minipigs and mice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- b2d3c0c31156040c372c2ebfed2df9cc