The biological effects induced by high-charged and energy particles and its application in cancer therapy

The radiobiological effects of high atomic number and energy (HZE particles) ion beams are of interest for radioprotection in space and tumor radiotherapy. Space radiation mainly consists of heavy charged particles from protons to iron ions, which is distinct from common terrestrial forms of radiation. HZE particles pose a significant cancer risk to astronauts on prolonged space missions. With high delivered energies and intense ionization, HZE particles can damage not only the biological systems but also the shielding materials. HZE particles are more effective than low-LET radiation like g- or X-rays to induce genetic mutation and cancer. On Earth, similar ions are being used for targeted cancer therapy due to the advantage of the inverse dose profile, with delivering higher doses to the tumor while keeping lower doses to the surrounding tissues. In this review, we focus on the recent insights into the biological effects caused by HZE particles and the corresponding mechanism. We also discuss the current application of HZE particle in cancer therapy. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the repair of DNA damage induced by HZE particles contribute to accurately estimate the risks to human health associated with HZE particle exposure and to improve the effectiveness of tumor radiotherapy.