Basic Comparison of Biological Effects between Protons and Carbon-Ions

在基础研究的基础上，使用质子或碳离子的粒子治疗显示出比常规X射线治疗更高的有效性。研究发现，在辐射生物效应中起重要作用的活性氧（ROS）的产生不是暂时的，而是持续的。还发现，通过N-乙酰半胱氨酸（NAC）持续抑制ROS导致照射后细胞存活增加。NAC可作为一种放射防护剂应用于临床。

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.