Gene expression for biodosimetry and effect prediction purposes: promises, pitfalls and future directions - key session ConRad 2021.

Abstract

PURPOSE: In a nuclear or radiological event, an early diagnostic or prognostic tool is needed to distinguish unexposed from low- and highly exposed individuals with the latter requiring early and intensive medical care. Radiation-induced gene expression (GE) changes observed within hours and days after irradiation have shown potential to serve as biomarkers for either dose reconstruction (retrospective dosimetry) or the prediction of consecutively occurring acute or chronic health effects. The advantage of GE markers lies in their capability for early (1-3 days after irradiation), high-throughput, and point-of-care (POC) diagnosis required for the prediction of the acute radiation syndrome (ARS). CONCLUSIONS: As a key session of the ConRad conference in 2021, experts from different institutions were invited to provide state-of-the-art information on a range of topics including