Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-04474

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Unlocking atom-specific radiotherapy – DNA backbone breakage caused by X-ray photoactivation

Svensson, P. H. W. (Corresponding author)Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Rydgren, B. ; Schwob, L.XFEL.EU*DESY* ; Berholts, M.Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Stenerlöw, B.Extern* ; Hocine Hafiani, O. ; André, T. ; Grånäs, O.Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Timneanu, N.Extern* ; Leroux, J.CFEL*Extern* ; Nair, A.Extern* ; Pille, L.Extern*DESY* ; Oostenrijk, B.Extern*DESY* ; Bari, S.DESY* ; Björneholm, O.Extern*XFEL.EU* ; Caleman, C. (Corresponding author)CFEL*DESY*

2025
RSC Cambridge

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1039/D5SC03414K  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-04474

Abstract: The effectiveness of radiation therapy can be enhanced by understanding the fragmentation mechanisms of iodine-doped DNA oligonucleotide under tender X-rays, as explored experimentally and computationally in our study. By primarily targeting iodine atoms above their L-edge ionization energies, we observed a significant increase in the production of fragments critical to DNA backbone breakage, particularly within mass ranges associated with phosphate and sugar groups. The mass spectroscopy experiments demonstrated that iodine-doped DNA oligonucleotides undergo intense fragmentation at long distances from the initial photoactivation site. Born–Oppenheimer based molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the generation of numerous small fragments, including reactive oxygen species, which are pivotal in enhancing the radiation damage. These findings highlight the effectiveness of iodine doping in amplifying DNA damage in radiotherapy via iodine photoactivation, thereby improving the potential for targeted cancer treatment.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Biomoleküle in Gasphase (FS-BIG)
2. FS DOOR-User (FS DOOR-User)
3. X-ray Atto-Chirality (CFEL-XAC)

Research Program(s):

1. 633 - Life Sciences – Building Blocks of Life: Structure and Function (POF4-633) (POF4-633)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
3. AIM, DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390715994 - EXC 2056: CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter (390715994) (390715994)
4. PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden (101081419) (101081419)
5. FS-Proposal: I-20220428 (I-20220428) (I-20220428)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P01 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Chemical Reactions ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; Index Chemicus ; JCR ; National-Konsortium ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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