FLASH irradiation induces lower levels of DNA damage ex vivo, an effect modulated by oxygen tension, dose, and dose rate
OBJECTIVE: FLASH irradiation reportedly produces less normal tissue toxicity, while maintaining tumour response. To investigate oxygen's role in the 'FLASH effect', we assessed DNA damage levels following irradiation at different oxygen tensions, doses and dose rates.METHODS: Samples of whole blood were irradiated (20 Gy) at various oxygen tensions (0.25-21%) with 6 MeV electrons at dose rates of