Repair of sub-lethal damage following single and split-dose irradiation using 60co-gamma and p(66)Be neutrons

Abstract

In clinical radiotherapy, experiments are performed to determine optimal conditions of the radiation prior to radiotherapy. These experiments focus on the relative biological effectivness(RBE) determination and are predominantly applied in high linear energy transfer (LET) radiations i.e. fast neutrons, as the RBE values for such radiations vary greatly. In general, the RBE of a certain radiation relative to a given reference radiation flCo gamma) varies widely with the energy, dose, dose rate, fractionation, type of tissue and end-point used. Experience with neutron therapy at iThemba LABS has shown that treatment with more fractions and lower doses per fraction may be beneficial for some patients. To calculate the iso-effective treatment dose needed, an appropriate alp ratio for early effects is needed. In this study, the repair of mouse jejunum was measured for split-dose irradiations to determine if a suitable alP ratio for neutrons could be estimated using the known value for gamma rays and the applicable RBE.. Crypt stem cell survival was measured 3.5 days after split-dose exposures to p(66)/Be neutrons and 6OCo gamma rays. Dose response curves for both treatment modalities and for both acute and fractionated exposures were constructed by counting crypts of Leiberkhiin at the base of the villi in haematoxylin and Eosin-stained sections of mouse jejunum. Using a RBE value of 1.64 and an alP ratio of 7Gy noted for tbe fractionated photon exposures, an alP ratio of 11.5 IV could be estimated for neutrons.