Study of Nuclear Reactions in Therapy of Tumors with Proton Beams

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 29;24(17):13400. doi: 10.3390/ijms241713400.

Abstract

This paper presents an assessment of nuclear reaction yields of protons, α-particles, and neutrons in human tissue-equivalentmaterial in proton therapy using a simulation with Geant 4. In this study, we also check an enhancement of nuclear reactions due to the presence of Bi, Au, 11B, and 10B radiosensitizer nanoparticles. We demonstrate that a proton beam induces a noticeable amount of nuclear reactions in the tissue. Nevertheless, the enhancement of nuclear reaction products due to radiosensitizer nanoparticles is found to be negligible.

Keywords: Geant4; nanoparticles in proton therapy; nuclear reactions in proton therapy; proton therapy of cancer; proton therapy with radiosensitizers; simulation of proton therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Alpha Particles
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Protons
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Protons
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents