Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) exploits the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction to deliver localized high-LET radiation to tumour cells enriched with 10B-labelled drugs. However, other neutron-induced reactions, including 14N(n,p)14C, also contribute to the total absorbed dose to the patient. This work illustrates the study of the radiobiological effectiveness of 583 keV protons, product of the 14N(n,p)14C reaction, on U87 MG glioblastoma cells. Proton irradiations were performed at the CIRCE Laboratory using its Tandem accelerator and a dedicated beamline. Experimental cellular dosimetry was carried out via semi-analytical approach, using solid state and CR39 detectors, supported by SRIM/TRIM calculations, and compared with GATE/GEANT4 Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Cell survival was assessed through a clonogenic assay and analysed with the linear-quadratic (LQ) model. Results showed good agreement between semi-analytical and MC dose estimates. Preliminary values of α and β parameters of LQ model for 583 keV protons on U87 cell line are presented, starting to contribute to low-energy protons radiobiology in BNCT context.
Cellular irradiation with 583 keV protons at the CIRCE tandem accelerator: a dosimetric and radiobiological investigation for BNCT applications
Sica, Rosa;Pistone, Daniele
;Bagnale, Laura;Formicola, Emilia;Buompane, Raffaele;Porzio, Giuseppe;Gialanella, Lucio;Pacifico, Severina;Manti, Lorenzo
2025
Abstract
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) exploits the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction to deliver localized high-LET radiation to tumour cells enriched with 10B-labelled drugs. However, other neutron-induced reactions, including 14N(n,p)14C, also contribute to the total absorbed dose to the patient. This work illustrates the study of the radiobiological effectiveness of 583 keV protons, product of the 14N(n,p)14C reaction, on U87 MG glioblastoma cells. Proton irradiations were performed at the CIRCE Laboratory using its Tandem accelerator and a dedicated beamline. Experimental cellular dosimetry was carried out via semi-analytical approach, using solid state and CR39 detectors, supported by SRIM/TRIM calculations, and compared with GATE/GEANT4 Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Cell survival was assessed through a clonogenic assay and analysed with the linear-quadratic (LQ) model. Results showed good agreement between semi-analytical and MC dose estimates. Preliminary values of α and β parameters of LQ model for 583 keV protons on U87 cell line are presented, starting to contribute to low-energy protons radiobiology in BNCT context.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
