A dosimetric and biological model for neutron capture therapy (NCT) experiments

A hybrid Monte Carlo approach using MCNP in combination with the cell-level code Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS) is presented to support the design and analysis of experiments for the evaluation of gadolinium (Gd) based agents in neutron capture therapy (NCT). Monoenergetic neutrons (0.025 eV-15 MeV) and polyenergetic neutron beams from NEUTRA, ICON (PSI, Switzerland), and HK1 (LVR-15, Czech Republic) were used to estimate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of NCT for the biologically critical endpoint of DNA double strand break (DSB) production relative to <sup>60</sup>Co γ-rays. Moreover, microdosimetric spectra of protons, electrons, alpha particles and heavy recoils were determined for the aforementioned neutron beams, to enhance the interpretation of energy deposition in subcellular structrures. The proposed, hybrid model and methodology builds on well-validated dosimetry and biophysical models at different spatial scales to create a versatile and generalized framework to estimate dosimetric parameters and RBE. This approach facilitates comparisons between NCT and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation alternatives.

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Publication Details

Journal
Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Published
2025-10-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.112233
Primary Topic
Nuclear Physics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

A dosimetric and biological model for neutron capture therapy (NCT) experiments

M. Strobl, Jaroslav Šoltés, A. Kalamara, K.L. Stefanopoulos et al.
Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Nuclear Physics and Applications
article

A dosimetric and biological model for neutron capture therapy (NCT) experiments

M. Strobl, Jaroslav Šoltés, A. Kalamara, K.L. Stefanopoulos, M. Vinš, Michaela Rabochová, J. Kalef‐Ezra, Pavel Trtik, Ján Milčák, David Mannes, V. Klupák, Alexandros G. Georgakilas, K.D. Knudsen, Anders Kaestner, Theodossis A. Theodossiou, Jan Hovind, I.E. Stamatelatos, Geir Helgesen, Robert D. Stewart, V. Rangos, M. Grigalavicius
article en

Abstract

A hybrid Monte Carlo approach using MCNP in combination with the cell-level code Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS) is presented to support the design and analysis of experiments for the evaluation of gadolinium (Gd) based agents in neutron capture therapy (NCT). Monoenergetic neutrons (0.025 eV-15 MeV) and polyenergetic neutron beams from NEUTRA, ICON (PSI, Switzerland), and HK1 (LVR-15, Czech Republic) were used to estimate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of NCT for the biologically critical endpoint of DNA double strand break (DSB) production relative to <sup>60</sup>Co γ-rays. Moreover, microdosimetric spectra of protons, electrons, alpha particles and heavy recoils were determined for the aforementioned neutron beams, to enhance the interpretation of energy deposition in subcellular structrures. The proposed, hybrid model and methodology builds on well-validated dosimetry and biophysical models at different spatial scales to create a versatile and generalized framework to estimate dosimetric parameters and RBE. This approach facilitates comparisons between NCT and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation alternatives.

Applied Radiation and IsotopesVol. 226
Oslo University Hospital (NO), Vilnius University (LT), National Technical University of Athens (GR), University of Ioannina (GR), University of Washington (US), National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos" (GR), Paul Scherrer Institute (CH), Institute for Energy Technology (NO), Research Centre Rez (CZ)
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Nuclear Physics and Applications
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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