Molecular radiobiology meets clinical radiation oncology

Abstract

Background: The 2nd Langendorff Congress in Freiburg in Breisgau (Germany) gathered basic and translational scientists as well as clinicians interested in recent developments in molecular and clinical radiobiology. The topics ranged from the most recent insight into the organisation of the DNA damage response and radiotherapeutically relevant cell death mechanisms to biological imaging for treatment planning and advances in the understanding of the molecular biological effects of particle beams. Clinical aspects of stem cell and tumour stem cell biology as well as of angiogenesis and hypoxia, the search for novel molecular radiosensitisers and potential strategies for exploitation of the immune system to further improve tumour radiotherapy were also discussed.

Results and conclusion: This report surveys the presentations at the meeting, considering their significance in light of the literature, and documents the increasing importance of molecular radiobiology for clinical radiooncology.

Keywords:

• molecular radiobiology
• clinical radiobiology
• radiotherapy

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Randy Cassada and Beatrix Menz for critical reading of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.