Three Weeks After Beginning Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer, a 64-Year-Old

Three weeks after beginning radiation therapy for prostate cancer, a 64-year-old man experiences diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Abdominal tenderness is visible on physical examination. The intestinal mucosa has hyperemia, edema, erosion, and ulceration, according to sigmoidoscopy. The chemistry of the stool and serum is typical. Suspected radiation enteritis. Which of the following is most likely the primary mechanism responsible for this patient's intestinal changes?

A) Generation of reactive oxygen species
B) Increased activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system
C) Inhibition of DNA polymerase
D) Inhibition of thymidylate synthesis
E) Prevention of microtubule assembly

Correct Answer:

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