3D quantification of biological damage for a 160 MeV proton beam

Abstract

Current Treatment Planning System uses advanced optimization algorithm with Dose Calculation Engine to optimize the dose delivered to the tumor to maximize the tumor-killing potential while limiting the side-effects to the normal tissues. Working in parallel, there are various radiobiology simulation programs being developed by different research groups to quantify biological endpoints such as Double Strand Breaks (DBSs) yield and Chromosome Aberration (CA) induced by different radiation types. In this paper, we conduct a novel preliminary work to combine these two areas to determine DSB yields in a 3D CT geometry. Our preliminary result shows that the position of the Bragg Peak determined from dose deposition differs from the position of maximal DSB yields. The difference can range from 0 to 1 mm, hence showing that dose is not entirely indicative of biological damage in tissue.