Medical countermeasures for radiation induced health effects: report of an Interagency Panel Session held at the NASA Human Research Program Investigator’s Workshop, 26 January 2017

Abstract

An Interagency Panel Session organized by the NASA Human Research Program (HRP) Space Radiation Program Element (SRPE) was held during the NASA HRP Investigator’s Workshop (IWS) in Galveston, Texas on 26 January 2017 to identify complementary research areas that will advance the testing and development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) in support of radioprotection and radiation mitigation on the ground and in space. There were several areas of common interest identified among the various participating agencies. This report provides a summary of the topics discussed by each agency along with potential areas of intersection for mutual collaboration opportunities. Common goals included repurposing of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals for use as radioprotectors and/or mitigators, low-dose/chronic exposure paradigms, late effects post-radiation exposure, mixed-field exposures of gamma-neutron, performance decrements, and methods to determine individual exposure levels.

Keywords:

• Space
• radiation
• medical countermeasures
• radioprotection
• mitigator

Disclosure statement

The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors; no endorsement by NASA, NIH, HHS, BARDA, DTRA, DOD or any other US Government agency has been given, implied, or inferred. The authors declare that there is no financial conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lisa S. Carnell

Lisa S. Carnell is the Senior Scientist for Partnership Development in the NASA Space Life and Physical Sciences Research Applications Division at NASA Headquarters.

Mary Homer

Mary Homer is the Branch Chief for the Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures Division of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

Keith Hoots

Keith Hoots, M.D., is the Director of the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Heather Meeks

Heather Meeks is a Program Officer in the Research and Development Enterprise for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Pataje G. S. Prasanna

Pataje G. S. Prasanna is a Program Director for the Radiation Research Program at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA. He manages a portfolio of grants that includes studies on radiation-induced normal tissue injury to improve radiation therapy outcomes.

Carmen Rios

Carmen Rios is a Program Officer for the Radiation and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures Program (RNCP) for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT).

Lisa C. Simonsen

Lisa C. Simonsen is the Space Radiation Element Scientist for the NASA Human Research Program.

Lanyn P. Taliaferro

Lanyn P. Taliaferro is a Program Officer for the Radiation and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures Program (RNCP) for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT).

Lynne K. Wathen

Lynne K. Wathen is the Biodosimetry and Chemical Threats Team Leader under the Division of Diagnostics, Devices, and Device Infrastructure (DDDI) for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR).