EDU 24 - "To Infinity and Beyond:" Radiobiologic Effects and Mitigation Strategies of Space Travel, and Results of Oncologic Studies Aboard the International Space Station
MODERATOR(S)
Craig Grossman, MD, PhD, MS - University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
session DESCRIPTION
With more accessibility of the public to spaceflight, and as we embark on longer-duration space missions, more people will become exposed to relatively high lifetime doses of ionizing radiation that exceeds what has been previously encountered in space exploration. It is therefore crucial to understand the long-term health consequences from space travel including carcinogenesis, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, and impairments of the central nervous system. Although protective methods already exist, innovative technologies, countermeasures, and mitigation strategies are being studied and developed to enable spaceflight in our "mission to Mars." This has become a priority at NASA, exemplified by the Human Research Program which is focused on identifying protective measures against space radiation exposure and exploring potential biomarkers for early detection of radiation-induced damage. Two approaches must be addressed to protect humans from cosmic radiation: reduced exposure to high LET radiation through shielding[1], and biological strategies through the use of radioprotectors and radiomitigators, genetic approaches, and metabolic alterations (i.e., hibernation)[2-6]; this education session will focus on biologic protective strategies. Since sex-linked differences exist in health risks and treatment responses here on Earth, it is likely that such variation occurs in space. With a greater diversity of mission crews, it is imperative that sex-linked differences be studied more systematically in women[7, 8]. Studies conducted on the International Space Station will continue to advance our understanding of the health impacts, mechanistic disturbances, and mitigation approaches to cosmic radiation exposure, as well as facilitate our understanding of cancer biology and treatment here on Earth[9].
learning objectives
- Describe the biologic effects of exposure to cosmic radiation during space travel.
- Define developing radioprotectors, genetic interventions, and metabolic alterations to mitigate the effects of cosmic radiation.
- Consider how differences between sexes may impact health risks and treatment interventions during space travel.
Credits
| AMA PRA Category 1 Credits: | 1.00 |
Presentations
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03:00pm - 03:05pm PT
Introductions
Speaker: Craig Grossman, MD, PhD, MS - University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa -
03:00pm - 04:00pm PT
"To Infinity and Beyond:" Radiobiologic Effects and Mitigation Strategies of Space Travel, and Results of Oncologic Studies Aboard the International Space Station
Speaker: Craig Grossman, MD, PhD, MS - University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa -
03:05pm - 03:25pm PT
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03:25pm - 03:35pm PT
Sex-linked Physiological Adaptations, Health Risks, and Potential Treatments Resulting from Exposure to Cosmic Radiation During Spaceflight
Speaker: Amber Paul, PhD - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach -
03:35pm - 03:55pm PT
From Orbit to Oncology: Integrative Models of DNA Damage, Repair, and Therapeutic Risk
Speaker: Sylvain Costes, PhD - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, San Francisco -
03:55pm - 04:10pm PT
Questions and Answers
Speaker: Craig Grossman, MD, PhD, MS - University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa