Basic Comparison of Biological Effects between Protons and Carbon-Ions

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Particle therapy using protons or carbon-ions showed higher effectiveness than conventional X-ray therapy on basic research basis. A new finding was obtained that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in biological effects of radiation, was not temporary but continuous after irradiation. It was also found that continuous suppression of ROS by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) lead to increased cell survival after irradiation. NAC could be used as a radioprotective agent in clinical settings.