X-ray radiation

X-ray radiation refers to a form of electromagnetic ionizing radiation used widely in medical imaging and industrial applications, not a molecule, receptor, or macromolecular biological target. X-rays deposit energy into biological tissues, causing molecular damage mainly via direct ionization of biological macromolecules, such as DNA, or indirectly through production of reactive oxygen species from water. At low doses, typical of diagnostic imaging, the biological risk is low but includes a small increase in the lifetime risk of cancer. At higher doses or with repeated exposure, X-rays can cause acute effects (skin reddening, hair loss, cataracts, tissue or organ dysfunction) and long-term effects (increased cancer risk, genetic mutations). X-ray radiation does not fit the definition of a therapeutic drug target such as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or signaling protein, and the inclusion of "X-ray radiation" as a biological target is incorrect for most pharmacological or molecular target databases.

Other names

X-raysX-rayionizing radiationmedical X-ray