Proton versus photon radiation–induced cell death in head and neck cancer cells

Li Wang, Shichao Han, Jinming Zhu, Xiaochun Wang, Yuting Li, Zeming Wang, Eric Lin, Xiaofang Wang, David P. Molkentine, Pierre Blanchard, Yining Yang, Ruiping Zhang, Narayan Sahoo, Michael Gillin, Xiaorong Ronald Zhu, Xiaodong Zhang, Jeffrey N. Myers, Steven J. Frank

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Photon (X-ray) radiotherapy (XRT) kills cells via DNA damage, however, how proton radiotherapy (PRT) causes cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear. We investigated mechanisms of HNSCC cell death after XRT versus PRT. Methods: We assessed type of death in 2 human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and two HPV-negative cell lines: necrosis and apoptosis (Annexin-V fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]); senescence (β-galactosidase); and mitotic catastrophe (γ-tubulin and diamidino-phenylindole [DAPI]). Results: The XRT-induced or PRT-induced cellular senescence and mitotic catastrophe in all cell lines studied suggested that PRT caused cell death to a greater extent than XRT. After PRT, mitotic catastrophe peaked in HPV-negative and HPV-positive cells at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. No obvious differences were noted in the extent of cell necrosis or apoptosis after XRT versus PRT. Conclusion: Under the conditions and in the cell lines reported here, mitotic catastrophe and senescence were the major types of cell death induced by XRT and PRT, and PRT may be more effective.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)46-55
Number of pages10
JournalHead and Neck
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • cell death mechanisms
  • head and neck cancer
  • photon radiotherapy
  • proton radiotherapy
  • radiation-induced cell death

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Advanced Technology Genomics Core
  • Flow Cytometry and Cellular Imaging Facility
  • Cytogenetics and Cell Authentication Core

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Proton versus photon radiation–induced cell death in head and neck cancer cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this