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LNT IS THE BEST WE CAN DO - TO-DAY
Citation:
Preston, R J. LNT IS THE BEST WE CAN DO - TO-DAY. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 23(3):263-68, (2003).
Description:
Abstract
The form of the dose-response curve for radiation-induced cancers, particularly at low doses, is the subject of an ongoing and spirited debate. The present review describes the current data base and basis for establishing a low dose, linear no threshold (LNT) model. The requirements for a dose-response model to be used for risk assessment purpose are that it fit the great majority of data derived from epidemiological and experimental tumor studies. Such is the case for LNT as opposed to that for other nonlinear models. This view is supported by data developed for radiation-induced mutations and chromosome aberrations. Potential modifiers of low-dose cellular responses to radiation (such as adaptive response, bystander effects, and genomic instability) have not been shown to be associated with tumor development. Such modifiers tend to influence the slope of the dose-response curve for cellular responses at low doses and not the shape - thereby resulting in a quantitative modification rather than a qualitative one. Additional pertinent data to address the shape of the tumor dose-response at low doses are needed.
Introduction
It is somewhat unusual to develop a manuscript prior to a debate outlining the points of argument that are to be used during the course of the debate. The element of surprise seems to be lost. Thus, I have chosen to present the thread of the argument in favor of the linear-no threshold (LNT) dose response for radiation-induced cancers at low exposures, rather than to include all the supporting details. I trust that this gives the reader sufficient information to appreciate and support the LNT concept. Also, in the spirit of debate, I elected to add the word "To-day" to my title, since I am a firm believer in linking a best shot to a time frame. There will be changes as research progresses.