Tumor cell DNA damage via beta-radiation from Yttrium-90 microspheres

The phrase "Tumor cell DNA damage via beta-radiation from Yttrium‑90 microspheres" does not refer to a specific molecule or receptor but rather describes the **therapeutic effect** achieved by a medical procedure known as **Yttrium‑90 radioembolization** or **Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT)**. In this treatment, millions of tiny glass or resin beads loaded with the radioactive isotope yttrium‑90 are delivered directly into the arteries supplying a liver tumor. The beads become lodged in the small blood vessels feeding the tumor and emit high-energy beta particles over several days. This localized radiation causes extensive double-strand breaks in the DNA of nearby cancer cells, leading to their death while sparing most healthy tissue due to limited penetration depth (~11 mm) of beta particles. This approach is used primarily for patients with unresectable primary liver cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma and for metastatic tumors involving the liver—most commonly from colorectal origin but also neuroendocrine tumors and others. The "target" here is not a molecular entity like an enzyme or receptor but rather any malignant cell within range of deposited yttrium‑90 beads; thus it does not fit standard definitions for therapeutic targets. Because this entry refers to an effect/mechanism—not a discrete molecule/receptor—it should be flagged as incorrect if strict molecular targeting information is required.

Other names

Yttrium-90 radioembolization targetSIRT (Selective Internal Radiation Therapy) tumor targetY90 microsphere tumor irradiation siteBeta-radiation-induced tumor DNA damage (Y90)

Localized delivery of high-dose beta radiation to tumor tissue via arterial infusion of radioactive microspheres, causing irreparable DNA double-strand breaks and subsequent cell death in malignant cells.