A cell survival model with saturable repair after irradiation

Summary A cell survival model with saturable repair has been developed. The model is based on the assumption that after irradiation the cell can be in one of the following three states: In state A the viable cells have no lesions, in state C cells carry lethal lesions and in state B cells exhibit potentially lethal lesions which can be repaired by a saturable enzymatic repair system or which are converted to lethal lesions. The model incorporates five parameters. The applicability of the model has been demonstrated by fitting 11 experimental data sets obtained with different cell lines, different kinds of radiation and variable repair times simulated by liquid holding recovery or inhibition of repair processes by different agents. The model and the results obtained are discussed in relation to published results.Dedicated to Prof. K.G. Zimmer on his 75th birthday