Cytoproliferative effect of low dose alpha radiation in human lung cancer cells is associated with connexin 43, caveolin-1, and survivin pathway.

Taken together, our results suggest an increase in proliferation and tumor volume at in vitro and in vivo levels, respectively, when A549 cells were irradiated with low dose of α-radiation. These findings may be relevant for a better understanding of radiobiological processes during high LET-based cancer radiotherapy.