An experimental unitfor fast neutron radiotherapy

New neutron sources

This paper describes the latest developments in neutron sources developed for fast neutron therapy. Two approaches have been taken using cyclotrons and D-T generators. For cyclotrons the proton on beryllium reaction is now preferred since smaller cyclotrons for a given neutron penetration can be used. Optimization of target thickness and filtration is necessary to obtain maximum beam penetration. D-T generators have been developed either as multi-beam accelerators or using ultrapure techniques to obtain maximum neutron output.

Cell death (apoptosis) in the mouse small intestine after low doses: effects of dose-rate, 14.7 MeV neutrons, and 600 MeV (maximum energy) neutrons

The production of dead (apoptotic) cells by low doses of gamma-rays was independent of dose-rate between 0.27 and 450 cGy per min. The r.b.e. for doses of 14.7 MeV neutrons between 1 and 15 cGy was about 4, and for neutrons generated by bombarding a beryllium target with 600 MeV protons the r.b.e. was about 2.7. The dose-incidence curves for all three radiation types reached a plateau at about 3-4 dead cells per crypt section, and this occurred at about 20-40 cGy of gamma-rays. These curves are compatible with exponential survival of the cell population at risk (D0 of 24 cGy for gamma-rays, 6 cGy for 14.7 MeV neutrons and 9 cGy for 600 MeV neutrons). Since the dose-response is exponential there is no indication of much higher r.b.e. values at very low doses, a point of concern in radiation protection. The spatial distribution of dead cells in the crypt was similar after doses of gamma-rays or neutrons, indicating that the same population of target cells was affected in both cases.

Rescue of marker phenotypes: effects of BUdR sensitization, hypoxia and high LET

The survival curve of colony-forming ability of Chinese hamster wg3h cells has been compared with the dose-response curve for the expression of an active thymidine kinase (TK) gene from these cells. The TK+ phenotype was measured by hybrid colony formation after fusion of wg3h (TK+) cells with Chinese hamster A23 (TK-) cells. The TK+ survival data fitted a multi-target curve up to 3 krad of 137 Cs irradiation, when a highly resistant fraction of hybrid colonies was seen at about 1 per cent survival. The Do of TK+ survival for the multi-target region was 3.1-4.0 times greater, than that of wg3h survival, even when the Do for cell survival varied between 136 and 545 rad by 14 MeV neutrons and hypoxia respectively. This parallel modification of cell and TK+ sensitivities suggests that the lesions causing cell inactivation are of the same type as those that cause marker inactivation. Using 14 MeV neutron data the approximate target size for TK inactivation was calculated to be 0.54-0.91 per cent of the DNA content of the cell (or about one-fifth to one-tenth of a chromosome). The data support the idea that marker inactivation results primarily from damage occurring outside the marker gene. BUdR labelling of wg3h cells before irradiation caused slight toxicity (30 per cent reduction in plating efficiency) and a twofold increase in cell sensitivity. However, the sensitivity of the TK+ phenotype increases by only 30 per cent. The increased cell sensitivity thus appeared to result from synergism between increased sensitivity of DNA to strand breakage and metabolic toxicity, the latter being largely overcome by fusion with normal cells.

Build-up and depth-dose characteristics of different fast neutron beams relevant for radiotherapy

Build-up and central axis depth-dose curves have been obtained for d(50) + Be and d + T neutron beams. Measurements carried out with the collimator opening covered with a layer of lead showed that for all three neutron beams the entrance dose is approximately 60% of the dose at the maximum. Consequently the skin-sparing properties of these neutron beams will be approximately equal and comparable to those for electron beam therapy. Central axis depth-dose curves have been established for d(50) + Be neutrons at 129 cm SSD, for p(42) + Be neutrons at 125 cm SSD and d + T neurtons and 60Co gamma rays at 80 cm SSD. The 50% dose values in a water phantom are at depths of 12.7 cm, 12.0 cm, 9.7 cm and 12.7 cm respectively, for field sizes of approximately 15 cm x 20 cm. Insertion of a 6 cm thick nylon filter in the p(42)+Be beam increases this value from 12.0 cm to 13.5 cm. The gamma component for the d+T neutron beam is higher than for the cyclotron beams.

Experimentally determined tissue air ratios and scatter air ratios for collimated beams of 14 mev neutrons

Tissue air ratios (TAR) and scatter air ratios (SAR) for collimated beams of 14 MeV neutrons were determined from depth dose curves measured in air and water using a tissue equivalent proportional counter. Central axis depth dose data were obtained as a function of field size and depth in a water phantom for an SSD or 125 cm. The collimator was composed of steel and polyethylene and was continuously variable from a 3 times 3 cm to a 20 times 20 cm field size at 125 cm SSD. The field scans for this collimator were flat within plus or minus 2 per cent over 80 per cent of the field dimension in air and were reduced to 20 per cent of the central axis dose at 1-2 field radii in air. Relative depth dose data in air and phantom were measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 2 per cent and were used for the TAR and SAR calculations. The resulting scatter air ratios for 14 MeV neutrons have roughly the same characteristics as 60-Co SAR, but are 60 per cent larger at maximum build-up and reach that maximum at about 60 per cent of the peak depth for 60-Co for all field sizes. The effects of collimator throat scatter on the central axis depth dose characteristics of this particular collimator design are discussed in detail using the measured tissue and scatter air ratios.

Evaluation of a continuously variable collimator for 14 MeV neutrons

This paper presents an evaluation of a continuously variable collimator for 14 MeV neutrons. Beam profiles measured in air and a phantom are used to demonstrate the relative importance of patient scatter and collimator throat scatter as they limit the performance characteristics of the collimator. The collimator consists basically of two sets of jaws each composed of 30 cm of steel followed by 20 cm of polyethylene. A solution is presented for the asymmetry in vertical and horizontal collimating characteristics resulting from the use of thick collimators. Beam profiles obtained with the collimator are comparable to published values for a fixed field 14 MeV neutron collimator.