Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Investigating Direct and Bystander Radio-Sensitizing Effects of Genistein in PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors
Reza Fardid 1
Aysuda Mansuri 2
Mohammad Ali Takhshid 3
Malihe Rostamyari 2
Seyedeh Kimia Javadi Haghighi 4
Mohammad Amin Mosleh-Shirazi 5
1 Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Radiology, Paramedical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Department of Laboratory Sciences, Paramedical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Department of Radiology, Paramedical School , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Department of Radio-oncology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
10.22038/ijmp.2026.92400.2642
Abstract
Introduction: Radiation therapy is the major treatment modality of prostate cancer. Genistein (GEN) as the most abundant isoflavone in soybeans prevents the repair of DNA breaks, improving the radiosensitivity of cancer cells. It is demonstrated that cancer cells can be eradicated outside the radiation field as a result of the bystander effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct and indirect effect of ionizing radiation (IR), GEN and their combination on prostate cancer cell line (PC-3).
Material and Methods: Cells were irradiated to 4 Gy IR 24h after treatment with GEN. Then the medium of cells was transferred to non-irradiated cells to induce bystander effect. The direct and indirect effects of GEN, IR, and their combination (GEN+IR) on cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed by flow-cytometry.
Results: Cell cycle arrest has occurred in the G2/M phase in the GEN and GEN+IR groups, while no significant differences were observed in the bystander groups. Apoptosis levels were also significantly increased by GEN, IR and combined treatment. Although apoptosis was significantly higher in Bys+IR group compared to control, indirect exposure to both GEN and IR did not enhance apoptosis levels.
Conclusion: Overall, the results demonstrate that GEN enhances PC-3 cells radiosensitivity by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However, bystander effect was not observed by indirect exposure of PC-3 cells to both GEN and IR. Future research are crucial to explore the radiation-induced bystander effect in the presence of GEN.
Keywords
Genistein
Radiation
Bystander Effect
Prostatic Neoplasms
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 23, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
March and April 2026
Pages 86-92

  • Receive Date 15 November 2025
  • Revise Date 22 February 2026
  • Accept Date 17 May 2026