Depression of p53-independent Akt survival signals in human oral cancer cells bearing mutated p53 gene after exposure to high-LET radiation

► High-LET radiation induces efficiently apoptosis regardless of p53 gene status. ► We examined whether high-LET radiation depresses the Akt-survival signals. ► High-LET radiation depresses of survival signals even in the mp53 cancer cells. ► High-LET radiation activates Caspase-9 through depression of survival signals. ► High-LET radiation suppresses cell growth through depression of survival signals.