Abstract
Purpose
In the present paper we investigate how some stochastic effects are included in a class of radiobiological models with particular emphasis on how such randomnesses reflect into the predicted cell survival curve.
Materials and Methods
We consider four different models, namely the Generalized Stochastic Microdosimetric Model GSM2, in its original full form, the Dirac GSM2 the Poisson GSM2 and the Repair-Misrepair Model (RMR). While GSM2
and the RMR models are known in literature, the Dirac and the Poisson GSM2
have been newly introduced in this work. We further numerically investigate via Monte Carlo simulation of four different particle beams, how the proposed stochastic approximations reflect into the predicted survival curves. To achieve these results, we consider different ion species at energies of interest for therapeutic applications, also including a mixed field scenario.
Results
We show how the Dirac GSM2 the Poisson GSM2
and the RMR can be obtained from the GSM2
under suitable approximations on the stochasticity considered. We analytically derive the cell survival curve predicted by the four models, characterizing rigorously the high and low dose limits. We further study how the theoretical findings emerge also using Monte Carlo numerical simulations.
Conclusions
We show how different models include different levels of stochasticity in the description of cellular response to radiation. This translates into different cell survival predictions depending on the radiation quality.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Francesco G. Cordoni
Francesco G. Cordoni, Ph.D., is a tenure track assistant professor at the University of Trento, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Trento, Italy.
Marta Missiaggia
Marta Missiaggia, Ph.D., is a Research Fellow at the Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Rome, Italy.
Chiara La Tessa
Chiara La Tessa, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Trento, Department of Physics, Trento, Italy.
Emanuele Scifoni
Emanuele Scifoni, Ph.D., is a Senior Researcher at the Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA) of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Trento, Italy.