Principles of Radiobiology in Modern Radiotherapy

About Course

This course introduces the biological foundations of radiation oncology. Participants will explore how ionizing radiation interacts with cells and tissues, the mechanisms of DNA damage and repair, and the determinants of tumor and normal tissue response. Emphasis is placed on the clinical relevance of radiobiology, from traditional concepts such as the four Rs (Repair, Reoxygenation, Redistribution, Repopulation) to modern applications including altered fractionation, retreatment strategies, particle therapy, and combined modality treatments.

By completing this course, learners will gain the essential radiobiology knowledge required for clinical practice and qualifying examinations, and will be prepared to understand and evaluate the biological rationale behind current and emerging radiotherapy approaches.

Course Content

Module 1. Fundamentals of Radiobiology
Introduction to Radiobiology, Historical Milestones, DNA Damage and Repair Basics, Quiz: Fundamentals

Lesson 1. Introduction to Radiobiology

00:00
Lesson 2. Historical Milestones

00:00
Lesson 3. DNA Damage and Repair Basics

00:00
Fundamentals of Radiobiology

Module 2. Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Cell Death
Direct vs. Indirect Action, Types of Cell Death (apoptosis, mitotic catastrophe, senescence, autophagy), Determinants of Radiosensitivity, Quiz: Cell Death Mechanisms

Module 3. Models of Cell Survival and Fractionation
Target theory and multitarget models, Linear-Quadratic (LQ) model, α/β ratio, BED and EQD2 calculations, Quiz: Survival Curves and Fractionation

Module 4. Tumor and Normal Tissue Radiobiology
The 4 Rs of Radiobiology, Tumor Control Probability (TCP) and Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP), Tissue tolerance and retreatment principles, Quiz: Clinical Radiobiology

Module 5. Tumor Microenvironment and Hypoxia
Causes and consequences of hypoxia, Methods to detect hypoxia, Radiosensitizers and hypoxia-targeted agents, Quiz: Hypoxia and Microenvironment

Module 6. Clinical Applications of Radiobiology
Hyperfractionation and accelerated schedules, Hypofractionation and SBRT, Retreatment and adaptive radiotherapy, Quiz: Clinical Applications

Module 7. Combined Modality Treatments
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy interactions, Radiotherapy with targeted agents and immunotherapy, Radioprotectors and normal tissue mitigation, Quiz: Combined Treatments

Module 8. Particle Therapy and Advanced Modalities
Radiobiology of protons and heavy ions, LET and RBE concepts, Clinical applications and controversies, Quiz: Particle Therapy

Module 9. Late Effects and Radiation-Induced Malignancies
Radiation-induced fibrosis and vascular damage, Second cancers and stochastic effects, Survivorship and monitoring, Final Quiz: Comprehensive Radiobiology

About Course

Course Content

Module 1. Fundamentals of Radiobiology Introduction to Radiobiology, Historical Milestones, DNA Damage and Repair Basics, Quiz: Fundamentals

Lesson 1. Introduction to Radiobiology

Lesson 2. Historical Milestones

Lesson 3. DNA Damage and Repair Basics

Fundamentals of Radiobiology

Module 2. Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Cell Death Direct vs. Indirect Action, Types of Cell Death (apoptosis, mitotic catastrophe, senescence, autophagy), Determinants of Radiosensitivity, Quiz: Cell Death Mechanisms

Lesson 1. Direct vs. Indirect Action of Radiation

Lesson 2. Modes of Cell Death After Radiation

Lesson 3. Determinants of Radiosensitivity

Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Cell Death

Module 3. Models of Cell Survival and Fractionation Target theory and multitarget models, Linear-Quadratic (LQ) model, α/β ratio, BED and EQD2 calculations, Quiz: Survival Curves and Fractionation

Lesson 1. Target Theory and Multitarget Models

Lesson 2. Linear-Quadratic (LQ) Model and α/β Ratio

Lesson 3. Biologically Effective Dose (BED) and EQD2

Models of Cell Survival and Fractionation

Module 4. Tumor and Normal Tissue Radiobiology The 4 Rs of Radiobiology, Tumor Control Probability (TCP) and Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP), Tissue tolerance and retreatment principles, Quiz: Clinical Radiobiology

Lesson 1. The 4 Rs of Radiobiology

Lesson 2. Tumor Control Probability (TCP) and Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP)

Lesson 3. Tissue Tolerance and Retreatment Principles

Tumor and Normal Tissue Radiobiology

Module 5. Tumor Microenvironment and Hypoxia Causes and consequences of hypoxia, Methods to detect hypoxia, Radiosensitizers and hypoxia-targeted agents, Quiz: Hypoxia and Microenvironment

Lesson 1. Causes and Consequences of Hypoxia

Lesson 2. Methods to Detect Hypoxia

Lesson 3. Radiosensitizers and Hypoxia-Targeted Therapies

Tumor Microenvironment and Hypoxia

Module 6. Clinical Applications of Radiobiology Hyperfractionation and accelerated schedules, Hypofractionation and SBRT, Retreatment and adaptive radiotherapy, Quiz: Clinical Applications

Lesson 1. Altered Fractionation: Hyperfractionation and Accelerated RT

Lesson 2. Hypofractionation and SBRT

Lesson 3. Retreatment and Adaptive Radiotherapy

Clinical Applications of Radiobiology

Module 7. Combined Modality Treatments Radiotherapy and chemotherapy interactions, Radiotherapy with targeted agents and immunotherapy, Radioprotectors and normal tissue mitigation, Quiz: Combined Treatments

Lesson 1. Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Interactions

Lesson 2. Radiotherapy with Targeted Agents and Immunotherapy

Lesson 3. Radioprotectors and Normal Tissue Mitigation

Combined Modality Treatments

Module 8. Particle Therapy and Advanced Modalities Radiobiology of protons and heavy ions, LET and RBE concepts, Clinical applications and controversies, Quiz: Particle Therapy

Lesson 1. Radiobiology of Protons and Heavy Ions

Lesson 2. LET and RBE Concepts

Lesson 3. Clinical Applications and Controversies

Particle Therapy and Advanced Modalities

Module 9. Late Effects and Radiation-Induced Malignancies Radiation-induced fibrosis and vascular damage, Second cancers and stochastic effects, Survivorship and monitoring, Final Quiz: Comprehensive Radiobiology

Lesson 1. Radiation-Induced Fibrosis and Vascular Damage

Lesson 2. Radiation-Induced Secondary Malignancies

Lesson 3. Survivorship and Long-Term Monitoring

Late Effects and Radiation-Induced Malignancies