Published Research
Low-Dose Radiation Therapy has decades of clinical use in European medicine, with a growing peer-reviewed evidence base in the United States. The papers below support the mechanism and outcomes for the conditions we treat.
Mechanism of action
How low-dose radiation modulates inflammatory and immune biology at the cellular level.
- Genard G, Lucas S, Michiels C. Reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages with anticancer therapies: radiotherapy versus chemo- and immunotherapies.Frontiers in Immunology. 2017;8:828.View on Google Scholar
- Wunderlich R, et al. Modulation of inflammatory reactions by low-dose ionizing radiation: cytokine release of murine endothelial cells.Dose-Response. 2019;17(2).View on Google Scholar
- Genest L, et al. Low-dose irradiation differentially impacts macrophage phenotype in dependence of FLS and radiation dose.Journal of Inflammation Research. 2019;12:69–83.View on Google Scholar
- Kwon J, et al. Immune-modulatory effects of LDRT through macrophage polarization and transcriptional rewiring in triple-negative breast cancer.Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2025 (in press).View on Google Scholar
- Boustani J, et al. Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) against cancer and inflammatory or degenerative diseases: three parallel stories with a common molecular mechanism.Cancers. 2023;15(5):1438.View on Google Scholar
Plantar fasciitis & heel spur
70–80% pain reduction in published series.
- Niewald M, et al. Low-energy X-rays for plantar fasciitis. Treatment outcome of 171 patients.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie.View on Google Scholar
- Hautmann MG, et al. Low-dose radiotherapy of painful heel spur / plantar fasciitis.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie.View on Google Scholar
- Niewald M, et al. Low-energy X-rays of painful heel spur / plantar fasciitis as an example of treatment effects in benign diseases.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie.View on Google Scholar
Osteoarthritis
Published series across knee, hip, shoulder, and hand show meaningful pain reduction for benign joint pain.
- Riehl TE, et al. Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) in managing osteoarthritis: a comprehensive review.Seminars in Radiation Oncology. 2025 (in press).View on Google Scholar
- Deloch L, et al. Low-dose radiotherapy ameliorates advanced arthritis in hTNF-α tg mice by particularly positively impacting on bone metabolism.Frontiers in Immunology. 2018;9:1834.View on Google Scholar
- Deloch L, et al. Low-dose radiotherapy leads to a systemic anti-inflammatory shift and reduces osteoarthritic pain in patients.Frontiers in Immunology. 2022;12:803360.View on Google Scholar
- Frey B, et al. Low dose radiation, particularly with 0.5 Gy, improves pain in degenerative joint disease of the fingers.Cancers. 2020;12(10):2838.View on Google Scholar
- Donaubauer AJ, et al. Low dose radiation therapy induces long-lasting reduction of pain and immune modulations in the peripheral blood (IMMO-LDRT01 trial).Frontiers in Immunology. 2021;12:740742.View on Google Scholar
Tendonitis & bursitis
Historical and contemporary evidence for shoulder and rotator-cuff radiation therapy.
- Historical literature review. Use of X-rays to treat shoulder tendonitis/bursitis: a historical assessment.Radiation oncology benign disease literature.View on Google Scholar
Dupuytren's contracture & Ledderhose disease
LDRT is most effective in early-to-moderate stage fibrotic disease.
- Heyd R, et al. Radiation therapy for early stages of morbus Ledderhose.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie.View on Google Scholar
- Low Dose X-ray Therapy literature. A successful treatment for early Dupuytren's disease.Multiple published series.View on Google Scholar
Non-melanoma skin cancer (BCC and SCC)
Superficial radiation therapy has been used for non-melanoma skin cancer for over 70 years, with published cure rates above 90% for appropriately selected lesions.
- Multiple published series. Superficial radiation therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer: long-term outcomes.Various peer-reviewed journals.View on Google Scholar
Keloid recurrence prevention
Post-excision radiation reduces keloid recurrence from 50–80% to under 20% in published series.
- Multiple published series. Adjuvant radiation therapy following keloid excision.Plastic and reconstructive surgery and dermatology literature.View on Google Scholar
Note on outcomes: LDRT is not a guarantee. Published response rates vary across studies and patient populations. The references above are provided so patients and referring physicians can evaluate the evidence directly. Individual results depend on clinical factors that are evaluated during consultation.