Study on X-ray-induced apoptosis and chromosomal damage in G2 human lymphocytes in the presence of pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53

► X-ray-induced apoptosis and chromosomal damage in G2 HPBL in presence of pifithrin-α. ► A p53-independent apoptotic pathway acts early after X-ray exposure in G2 lymphocytes. ► In G2 X-irradiated lymphocytes inhibition of p53 protein does not affect DNA repair.