Modelling Direct and Indirect Effects of Radiation: Experimental, Clinical and Environmental Implications

Radiotherapy is a commonly used treatment for cancer and is usually given in varying doses. Mathematical modelling of radiation effects traditionally means the modelling or estimation of cell-kill due to its direct exposure to irradiation and sometimes ignoring other multiple direct/indirect effects. However, advances in molecular biology have expanded this classical view and it is now realized that in addition to cell-death, signals produced by irradiated cells can further influence the behavior of non-irradiated cells or organisms in several ways. Consequently, it has now wider implications in multiple areas making it relevant for further exploration, both experimentally and mathematically. Here, we provide a brief overview of a hybrid multiscale mathematical model to study the direct and indirect effects of radiation and its implications in clinical radiotherapy, experimental settings and radiation protection.