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
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis (33 studies, 12,143 patients) reports a pooled long-term response rate of approximately 85% for kilovoltage low-dose radiotherapy; published series across knee, hip, shoulder, and hand consistently show 70–80% meaningful pain reduction for benign joint pain.
- Systematic review & meta-analysis (33 studies, 12,143 patients). Comparative effectiveness of kilo- and megavoltage energies in low-dose radiotherapy for painful degenerative musculoskeletal diseases.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie. 2024. doi:10.1007/s00066-024-02329-0.View on Google Scholar
- Multicenter analysis (970 patients, 1185 treated sites). Low-dose radiotherapy for painful osteoarthritis of the elderly.Published multicenter analysis. 2021.View on Google Scholar
- 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 and is a well-established non-surgical option 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: Published response rates vary across studies and patient populations. The references above are provided so patients and referring physicians can evaluate the evidence directly. We discuss individual fit during consultation — and LDRT never closes the door on other treatment options if it isn't the right fit for you.