A critique of Katz's 'high LET constraint on low LET survival'

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Abstract
Katz''s interpretation of the connection between RBE [relative biological effectiveness] and LET [linear energy transfer] is contrasted with a version published previously by Burch. The implications of Katz''s model for dose-response relations apply only at ultra-high absorbed doses in Burch''s model. Burch''s model explains the shoulder on type-C survival curves for mammalian cells in terms of Haynes'' repair model. Under certain conditions the repair model becomes mathematically equivalent to the .alpha.-.beta. model; under other conditions it becomes equivalent to the 2-component model. The formulation of a new repair hypothesis based on the idea of an inducible repair mechanism is presented. Katz''s supralinearity index may be appropriate to the induction of (rare) mutations but inappropriate for cell survival, for which an alternative index is proposed. Certain plausible hypotheses of radiobiological action conflict with Katz''s logical constraint. Although experimental findings for some radiobiological systems conform to Katz''s constraint, the frequent violations are not necessarily artifacts.

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