Cytokines Play A Key Role In The Pathogenesis Of Radiation Induced Lung Injury

Radiotherapy is one of the most common therapeutic strategies for thoracic malignant tumors.The radiation induced lung injury(RILI)is a common complication.This is because when ionizing radiation passes through normal lung tissue,its energy can directly cause DNA damage and produce reactive oxygen species,resulting in severe damage to alveolar epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells,and eventually radiation pneumonia and/or pulmonary fibrosis.At present,the mechanism of RILI is not clear,but the targeted treatment is limited once occurrence.Many experiments have investigated the relationship between cytokines and radiation injury,and explored the role and function of cytokines in the development of RILI.Cytokines are not only the key factor in initiating and regulating the RILI,but also have potential diagnostic value.The concentration of various cytokines in serum or sputum was significantly correlated with the severity of RILI.Accroding to the laboratory and clinical research evidence,this article review the relationship between cytokines and severity of RILI,and the relationship between this severityand several key cytokines concentration,which would guide us to find a more efficient way of prevention or treatment of RILI,and improve the patients quality of life.