Comparative study of RBE and cell survival fractions for 1H, 4He, 12C and 16O beams using Geant4 and Microdosimetric Kinetic model
Abstract
Beams of 4He and 16O nuclei are considered for ion-beam cancer therapy as alternative options to protons and 12C nuclei. Spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) distributions of physical dose and relative biological effectiveness for 10% survival are calculated by means of our Geant4-based Monte Carlo model for Heavy Ion Therapy (MCHIT) and the modified microdosimetric kinetic model. The depth distributions of cell survival fractions are calculated for 1H, 4He, 12C and 16O for tissues with normal (HSG cells), low and high radiosensitivity. In each case the cell survival fractions were compared separately for the target volume, behind and in front of it. In the case of normal radiosensitivity 4He and 12C better spare tissues in the entrance channel compared to protons and 16O. The cell survival fractions calculated, respectively, for the entrance channel and target volume are similar for 4He and 12C. When it is important to spare healthy tissues located after the distal edge of the SOBP plateau, 4He can be recommended due to reduced nuclear fragmentation of these projectiles. No definite advantages of 16O with respect to 12C were found, with the except of an enhanced impact of these heavier projectiles on radioresistant tumors.
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