Role of p53, Cancer Stem Cells, and Cellular Senescence in Radiation Response

Abstract

Currently, radiotherapy has been identified as the most common cancer treatment. However, the efficacy of this treatment modality is low in several malignancies due to the resistance of cancer to radiation. Multiple mechanisms, including cell-cycle checkpoint function, DNA repair, and cell death pathways, modulate the radio-responsiveness of cancer cells. This review considered the role of p53, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and cellular senescence in radiation response.