Mouse model of radiation mortality: scoping review and meta-analysis of survival outcomes of radiation medical countermeasures

This study systematically maps murine in vivo research on small-molecule radiation medical countermeasures (RMCs) published between 2014 and 2024, with quantitative survival analysis focused on whole or total-body irradiation (WBI/TBI) models relevant to hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). Murine models are central to radiation biology because they provide controlled, reproducible systems for studying radiation injury, testing candidate therapeutics, and generating preclinical evidence relevant to clinical translation. A structured PubMed search identified 5,558 records, of which 258 studies met inclusion criteria. Study characteristics and outcomes were extracted, and survival studies were filtered for (WBI/TBI), appropriate dose range, Kaplan-Meier reporting, and data integrity. To reduce heterogeneity, meta-analysis was restricted to C57BL/6 mice exposed to 7.5-9.5 Gy WBI. Of 118 survival studies, 48 cohorts were eligible, but only the 8.0-8.5 Gy and 8.5-9.0 Gy dose ranges supported quantitative synthesis. Using restricted mean survival time (RMST; τ = 30 days), pooled analysis showed survival gains of 12 and 13 days, respectively, in treated versus control cohorts. Multiple chemically distinct RMCs improved survival, with the largest effects observed for delta-tocotrienol derivatives. These findings highlight both the translational value of murine models and the need for greater standardization in experimental design and reporting.