Vol 62, No 6 (2012)
Review paper
Published online: 2012-12-28
Past, present and future of applied radiobiology
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2012;62(6):455-463.
Abstract
Radiobiology as a scientific discipline was created at the beginning of the 20th century and its development was
connected with progress of radiotherapy (RT). The main aim of radiation biology is to translate the findings from
basic research into clinical practice and aim to personalize anticancer treatment. In the paper the historical outline of
radiobiology is presented, divided arbitrarily into four periods: cellular radiobiology (1950), experimental radiobiology
(1970–1990), applied radiobiology (1990–2000) and molecular radiobiology (2001– present). The most significant
achievements which have had an influence on the development of radiation oncology in these periods are presented.
Also the evolution of radiobiological prognostic and predictive tests applied in radiation oncology with the aim
to individualize anticancer treatment are described, with a perspective on their development in the nearest future.
connected with progress of radiotherapy (RT). The main aim of radiation biology is to translate the findings from
basic research into clinical practice and aim to personalize anticancer treatment. In the paper the historical outline of
radiobiology is presented, divided arbitrarily into four periods: cellular radiobiology (1950), experimental radiobiology
(1970–1990), applied radiobiology (1990–2000) and molecular radiobiology (2001– present). The most significant
achievements which have had an influence on the development of radiation oncology in these periods are presented.
Also the evolution of radiobiological prognostic and predictive tests applied in radiation oncology with the aim
to individualize anticancer treatment are described, with a perspective on their development in the nearest future.