Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39968050›Full record

ArticleClinical and translational radiation oncology2025

Effect of FLASH proton therapy on primary bronchial epithelial cell organoids.

Merian E Kuipers, Floriane van Liefferinge, Ernst van der Wal, Marta Rovituso, Annelies M Slats, Pieter S Hiemstra, Krista C J Van Doorn-Wink

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical and translational radiation oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Merian E KuipersLeiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Department of Pulmonology, C02-Q, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
Floriane van LiefferingeLeiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Department of Pulmonology, C02-Q, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
Ernst van der WalHolland Proton Therapy Center (HollandPTC), Huismansingel 4 2629 JH Delft, the Netherlands.
Marta RovitusoHolland Proton Therapy Center (HollandPTC), Huismansingel 4 2629 JH Delft, the Netherlands.
Annelies M SlatsLeiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Department of Pulmonology, C02-Q, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
Pieter S HiemstraLeiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Department of Pulmonology, C02-Q, Albinusdreef 2 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
Krista C J Van Doorn-WinkHolland Proton Therapy Center (HollandPTC), Huismansingel 4 2629 JH Delft, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: The effects of conventional (CONV) and FLASH proton therapy on primary bronchial epithelial cell (PBEC) organoids from individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were investigated. The primary objective was to compare the effect of FLASH and CONV on COPD PBEC organoids with a focus on DNA damage, organoid formation, and gene expression. Methods: PBECs were obtained from six COPD donors, cultured as three-dimensional (3D) organoids and exposed to 2 and 8 Gy CONV and FLASH proton radiation at the Holland Proton Therapy Center. DNA damage was assessed by γH2AX staining. Organoid formation capacity was assessed by counting the organoids formed after reseeding irradiated cells at 24 h and 7 days. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and qPCR analyses were performed to identify pathways and differences in the radiation response. Results: γH2AX foci analysis showed a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA damage at 1 h for both CONV and FLASH treatments, without differences between the two modalities. Organoid formation assays revealed a dose-dependent decrease in organoid formation capacity at 24 h for both treatments. At 7 days, 2 Gy FLASH-treated samples showed significantly reduced organoid formation compared to 2 Gy CONV (p = 0.008). RNAseq identified CONV and FLASH-induced changes in expression of DNA-damage response and apoptosis pathway genes. A dose-dependent upregulation of MDM2, GDF15, DDB2, BAX, P21, AEN and a decrease in MKi67 expression was confirmed by qPCR analysis. Conclusion: No significant differences were found in DNA damage or gene expression profiles between CONV and FLASH. The organoid formation assay showed a prolonged detrimental effect in the FLASH-treated organoids, suggesting a more complex interaction of FLASH with lung epithelial cells. The results of this study contribute to the advancement of robust

Indexed as

3D modelFLASH effectNSCLCOrganoid modelPrimary cellsProton radiationUltra-high dose rate (UHDR)

Identifiers

PMID39968050
PMCPMC11833640

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