Journal Article

DKFZ-2024-01074

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Assessment of fluence- and dose-averaged linear energy transfer with passive luminescence detectors in clinical proton beams.

Muñoz, I. D. (First author)DKFZ* ; Van Hoey, O. ; Parisi, A. ; Bassler, N. ; Grzanka, L. ; De Saint-Hubert, M. ; Vaniqui, A. ; Olko, P. ; Sądel, M. ; Stolarczyk, L. ; Vestergaard, A. ; Jaekel, O.DKFZ* ; Yukihara, E. G. ; Christensen, J. B.

2024
IOP Publ. Bristol

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1088/1361-6560/ad4e8e

Abstract: This work investigates the use of passive luminescence detectors to determine different types of averaged linear energy transfer (\overline{LET}) for the energies relevant to proton therapy. The experimental results are compared to reference values obtained from Monte Carlo simulations.Optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLDs), fluorescent nuclear track detectors (FNTDs), and two different groups of thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs) were irradiated at four different radiation qualities. For each irradiation, the fluence- (\overline{LET}f) and dose-averaged LET (\overline{LET}d) were determined. For both quantities, two sub-types of averages were calculated, either considering contributions from primary and secondary protons or from all protons and heavier charged particles. Both simulated and experimental data were used in combination with a phenomenological model to estimate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE).All types of \overline{LET} could be assessed with the detectors. The experimental determination of \overline{LET}fis in agreement with reference data obtained from simulations across all measurement techniques and types of averaging. On the other hand, \overline{LET}dcan present challenges as a radiation quality metric to describe the detector response in mixed particle fields. However, excluding secondaries heavier than protons from the \overline{LET}dcalculation, as their contribution to the luminescence is suppressed by ionization quenching, leads to equal accuracy between \overline{LET}fand \overline{LET}d. Assessment of RBE through the experimentally determined \overline{LET}dvalues agrees with independently acquired reference values, indicating that the investigated detectors can determine \overline{LET} with sufficient accuracy for proton therapy.OSLDs, TLDs, and FNTDs can be used to determine \overline{LET} and RBE in proton therapy. With the capability to determine dose through ionization quenching corrections derived from \overline{LET}, OSLDs and TLDs can simultaneously ascertain dose, \overline{LET}, and RBE. This makes passive detectors appealing for measurements in phantoms, facilitating the validation of clinical treatment plans or experiments related to proton therapy.

Keyword(s): FNTD ; LET ; Linear energy transfer ; Luminescence detectors ; OSLD ; TLD

Note: #EA:E040#

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. E040 Med. Physik in der Strahlentherapie (E040)

Research Program(s):

1. 315 - Bildgebung und Radioonkologie (POF4-315) (POF4-315)

Appears in the scientific report 2024

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Database coverage:
; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; National-Konsortium ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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