Radiation-induced gastric injury during radiotherapy: molecular mechanisms and clinical treatment

Radiotherapy (RT) has been the standard of care for treating a multitude of cancer types. Radiation-induced gastric injury (RIGI) is a common complication of RT for thoracic and abdominal tumors. It manifests acutely as radiation gastritis or gastric ulcers, and chronically as chronic atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia. In recent years, studies have shown that intracellular signals such as oxidative stress response, p38/MAPK pathway and transforming growth factor-& beta; signaling pathway are involved in the progression of RIGI. This review also summarized the risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. However, the root of therapeutic challenges lies in the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms. Here, we also highlight the potential mechanistic, diagnostic and therapeutic directions of RIGI.

Automated summary

Radiotherapy is a common treatment for various types of cancer, but it can cause complications such as radiation-induced gastric injury (RIGI). Recent studies have identified several intracellular signals involved in the progression of RIGI, and this review summarizes the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.