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Monte Carlo simulation of the RBE of I-131 radiation using DNA damage as biomarker

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Abstract

In general, a weighting factor of one is applied for low linear energy transfer radiations. However, several studies indicate that relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of low energy photons and electrons is greater than one. The aim of this current study was calculating the RBE of I-131 radiation relative to Co-60 gamma photons in 100 μm spheroid cells using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. These calculations were compared to experimentally measured results. MCNPX2.6 was used to simulate the I-131 and Co-60 irradiation setups and calculate the secondary electron spectra at energies higher than 1 keV with varying oxygen concentrations. The electron spectra at energies lower than 1 keV were obtained by extrapolation (down to 10 eV). The calculated electron spectra were input into the MCDS micro-dosimetric Monte Carlo code to calculate the DSB induction and related RBE. The calculated RBE of I-131 radiation relative to Co-60 photons, as the reference radiation recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP), was 1.06, 1.03 and 1.02 for oxygen concentrations of 0, 5 and 100%, respectively. Results of MC simulations indicate the RBE of I-131 is greater than one. This finding, despite a 10% discrepancy with the findings of the previous in vitro study of one of the authors of this paper, reemphasizes that I-131 radiation induces more severe biological damage than current ICRP recommendations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

    Ahad Ollah Ezzati

  2. The Persian Gulf Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

    Ali Mahmoud-Pashazadeh

  3. University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Matthew T. Studenski

Authors
  1. Ahad Ollah Ezzati
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  2. Ali Mahmoud-Pashazadeh
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  3. Matthew T. Studenski
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Correspondence to Ali Mahmoud-Pashazadeh.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Ethical approval is not required because of the type of the study that was a simulation not practical study on human or animal.

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Ezzati, A.O., Mahmoud-Pashazadeh, A. & Studenski, M.T. Monte Carlo simulation of the RBE of I-131 radiation using DNA damage as biomarker. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 40, 395–400 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-017-0544-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-017-0544-4

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