The quest to exploit the Auger effect in cancer radiotherapy – a reflective review

To identify the emergence of the recognition of the potential of the Auger effect for clinical application, and after tracing the salient milestones towards that goal, to evaluate the status quo and future prospects. It was not until 40 years after the discovery of Auger electrons, that the availability of radioactive DNA precursors enabled the biological power, and the clinical potential, of the Auger effect to be appreciated. Important milestones on the path to clinical translation have been identified and reached, but hurdles remain. Nevertheless the potential is still evident, and there is reasonable optimism that the goal of clinical translation is achievable.

本研究旨在明确学界对俄歇效应（Auger effect）临床应用潜力的认知萌发历程，并在追溯该目标推进路径上的关键里程碑后，对其当前研究现状与未来前景展开评估。直至俄歇电子被发现的40年后，放射性DNA前体的可及性才使得学界得以认识到俄歇效应的生物学效能与临床潜力。在向临床转化的进程中，诸多关键里程碑已被确认并达成，但相关障碍依然存在。尽管如此，其应用潜力依然凸显，学界对于临床转化目标的达成抱有合乎情理的乐观预期。