Progress in the use of gadolinium for NCT

The evaluation of possible improvement in the use of Gd in cancer therapy, in reference to gadolinium in cancer therapy (GdNCT), has been analysed. At first the problem of the gadolinium compounds toxicity was reviewed identifying the Motexafin Gadolinium as the best. Afterwards, the spectrum of IC...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied radiation and isotopes Vol. 67; no. 7; pp. S157 - S160
Main Authors Cerullo, N., Bufalino, D., Daquino, G.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2009
Subjects
Auger electron
Gadolinium
Gadolinium - pharmacokinetics
Gadolinium - therapeutic use
Gadolinium - toxicity
GdNCT
Humans
Isotopes - pharmacokinetics
Isotopes - therapeutic use
Isotopes - toxicity
Monte Carlo Method
Nanodosimetry
Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Neutron Capture Therapy - methods
Neutron Capture Therapy - statistics & numerical data
Neutron Capture Therapy - trends
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents - pharmacokinetics
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents - therapeutic use
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents - toxicity
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - statistics & numerical data
Treatment planning system
Nanodosimetry
Auger electron
Gadolinium
Treatment planning system
GdNCT
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The evaluation of possible improvement in the use of Gd in cancer therapy, in reference to gadolinium in cancer therapy (GdNCT), has been analysed. At first the problem of the gadolinium compounds toxicity was reviewed identifying the Motexafin Gadolinium as the best. Afterwards, the spectrum of IC and Auger electrons was calculated using a special method. Afterwards, this electron source has been used as input of the PENELOPE code and the energy deposit in DNA was well defined. Taking into account that the electron yield and energy distribution are related to the neutron beam spectrum and intensity, the shaping assembly architecture was optimised through computational investigations. Finally the study of GdNCT was performed from two different points of view: macrodosimetry using MCNPX, with calculation of absorbed doses both in tumour and healthy tissues, and microdosimetry using PENELOPE, with the determination of electron RBE through the energy deposit. The equivalent doses were determined combining these two kinds of data, introducing specific figures of merit to be used in treatment planning system (TPS). According to these results, the GdNCT appears to be a fairly possible tumour therapy.
ISSN:0969-8043
1872-9800
DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.03.109