Lessons on harmonization of scoring criteria for dicentric chromosome assay in South Korea

Abstract

Purpose

Networking with other biodosimetry laboratories is necessary to assess the radiation exposure of many individuals in large-scale radiological accidents. The Korea biodosimetry network, K-BioDos, prepared harmonized scoring guidelines for dicentric chromosome assay to obtain homogeneous results within the network and investigated the efficiency of the guidelines.

Materials and methods

Three laboratories in K-BioDos harmonized the scoring guidelines for dicentric chromosome assay. The results of scoring dicentric chromosomes using the harmonized scoring guidelines were compared with the laboratories’ results using their own methods. Feedback was collected from the scorers following the three intercomparison exercises in 3 consecutive years.

Results

K-BioDos members showed comparable capacity to score dicentrics in the three exercises. However, the results of the K-BioDos guidelines showed no significant improvement over those of the scorers’ own methods. According to the scorers, our harmonized guidelines led to more rejected metaphases and ultimately decreased the number of scorable metaphases compared with their own methods. Moreover, the scoring time was sometimes longer with the K-BioDos protocol because some scorers were not yet familiar with the guidelines, though most scorers reported that the time decreased or was unchanged. These challenges may cause low adherence to the guidelines. Most scorers expressed willingness to use the guidelines to select scorable metaphases or identify dicentrics for other biodosimetry works, whereas one did not want to use it due to the difference from their calibration curves.

Conclusions

We identified potential resistance to following the harmonized guidelines and received requests for more detailed methods. Our findings suggest that the harmonized criteria should be continually updated, and education and training should be provided for all scorers. These changes could allow members within the biodosimetry network to successfully collaborate and support each other in large-scale radiological accidents.

Keywords:

• Biodosimetry
• dicentric chromosome assay
• harmonization
• scoring
• radiological accidents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grant from the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences [No. 50445-2023] and the Soonchunhyang University Research Fund [No. 20221185]. We also extend our thanks to the BK21 Four Program of the National Research Foundation, Republic of Korea, for their support.

Notes on contributors

Yang Hee Lee

Yang Hee Lee is a medical laboratory technician in the Lab of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center (NREMC), Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) in the Republic of Korea.

Hyo Jin Yoon

Hyo Jin Yoon is a medical laboratory technician in the Lab of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center (NREMC), Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) in the Republic of Korea.

Su San Yang

Su San Yang is a medical laboratory technician in the Lab of Biological Dosimetry, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center (NREMC), Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) in the Republic of Korea.

In Kyung Lee

In Kyung Kim, PhD, is a principal researcher at the Radiation Health Institute of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Wol Soon Jo

Wol Soon Jo, PhD, is a senior researcher at the Research Center of Dong Nam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) in the Republic of Korea.

Soo Kyung Jeong

Soo Kyung Jeong is a researcher at the Research Center of Dong Nam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) in the Republic of Korea.

Su Jung Oh

Su Jung Oh is a researcher at the Research Center of Dong Nam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (DIRAMS) in the Republic of Korea.

Jiin Kim

Jiin Kim is a graduate student in the Department of Medical Sciences of Soonchunhyang University Graduate School in Asan, Republic of Korea.

Younghyun Lee

Younghyun Lee, PhD, is an assistant professor at Soonchunhyang University in Asan, Republic of Korea.

Ki Moon Seong

Ki Moon Seong, PhD, is a director of the Department of Dose Assessment, the National Radiation Emergency Medical Center in the Republic of Korea. He currently contributes to the collaborative works of UNSCEAR in radiation biology as a Korean delegate.