WP1 - Modeling

Leaders: A. Attili, E. Scifoni

The main aim of the WP1 is the investigation of the radiobiological role of the alpha particles produced in the p+11B→3α and p+19F→16O+α by means of computational modelling. Other reaction channels and the production of all secondary fragments will be evaluated and considered, as well. This task will be carried out via the implementation of three approaches:

First approach: the experimental set-up used at INFN-LNS will be simulated with Geant4 to estimate the particle spectra generated by the nuclear reactions. The spectra will be used as an input for the radiobiological simulations based on the microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) [6], which is currently clinically used in hadrontherapy and BNCT. The MKM has been also implemented in a code by INFN-TO/Roma3. Links with other WPs:

- The simulated spectra will be compared with the microdosimetric data (WP3).

- Information about the B and F cellular uptake (WP2) will enable the survivals calculations to be compared with the measurements (WP4).

Second approach: radiochemical processes could play a relevant role in nuclear-based enhanced proton-therapy. In a refinement of the modelling, a chemical-physics characterization of the reactive species following p+11B and p+19F reactions, will be carried out via two MC codes, Geant4-DNA and TRAX-CHEM. Links with other WPs:

- The results of the simulations will be compared with the ROS measurements (WP4).

- The simulation of the reactive species will be related with the measured rate of DSBs, CAs and foci (WP4). These results will be used to tune the model to improve the agreement between predictions and observations.

Third approach: in order to better reproduce the experimental data, other indirect mechanisms such as non targeted effects (NTEs) will be implemented in the MKM. Links with other WPs: The predictions will be compared with the bystander measurements (WP4).

Link to the First Annual Activity Report

Papers

▪ G. Petringa et al. “Radiobiological quantities in proton-therapy: estimation and validation using Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulations”, Physica Medica 58, P72-80, 2019

▪ G.A.P. Cirrone et al. “Discussing the discrepancy between analytical calculations and the observed biological effectiveness in proton boron capture therapy (PBCT), Radiation and Applications, ISSN 2466-4294, 2018

Conferences

▪ Giornata monotematica SIRR (Società Italiana per la Ricerca sulle Radiazioni), Catania, Italia, Maggio 2019 http://www.sirr2.it/uploads/PDF_Locandina%20SIRR%202019.pdf

▫ Invited Talk: “Modelli radiobiologici e simulazioni Monte Carlo in adroterapia”, Speaker: Giada Petringa

▫ Talk: “La Proton Boron Capture Therapy (PBCT): il futuro della protonterapia”, Speaker: Davide Chiappara

▪ MCMA 2019 conference, Montreal, Canada, Giugno 2019 http://iccr-mcma.org/

▫ Talk: “Improvement of ParticleHP with proton-boron fusion reaction in GEANT4 for medical applications”, Speaker: Giada Petringa

Posters

▪ 59th Annual conference of Particle Therapy Co Operative Group , (Manchester), 10-15 Giugno 2019 - https://ptcog58.org

▫ E-poster “The project NEPTUNE (Nuclear process-driven Enhancement of Proton Therapy UNraVeled)”

▫ E-poster: “Microdosimetric study and RBE measurement at CATANA protontherapy facility for the treatment of ocular melanoma”