Paper detail

Comparative study of RBE and cell survival fractions for $^{1}$H, $^{4}$He, $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O beams using Geant4 and Microdosimetric Kinetic model

Beams of $^{4}$He and $^{16}$O nuclei are considered for ion-beam cancer therapy as alternative options to protons and $^{12}$C nuclei. Spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) distributions of physical dose and relative biological effectiveness for 10% survival are calculated by means of our Geant4-based Monte Carlo model for Heavy Ion Therapy (MCHIT) and the modified microdosimetric kinetic model. The depth distributions of cell survival fractions are calculated for $^{1}$H, $^{4}$He, $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O for tissues with normal (HSG cells), low and high radiosensitivity. In each case the cell survival fractions were compared separately for the target volume, behind and in front of it. In the case of normal radiosensitivity $^{4}$He and $^{12}$C better spare tissues in the entrance channel compared to protons and $^{16}$O. The cell survival fractions calculated, respectively, for the entrance channel and target volume are similar for $^{4}$He and $^{12}$C. When it is important to spare healthy tissues located after the distal edge of the SOBP plateau, $^{4}$He can be recommended due to reduced nuclear fragmentation of these projectiles. No definite advantages of $^{16}$O with respect to $^{12}$C were found, with the except of an enhanced impact of these heavier projectiles on radioresistant tumors.