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The average number of alpha-particle hits to the cell nucleus required to eradicate a tumour cell population

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Published 19 April 2006 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd
, , Citation John C Roeske and Thomas G Stinchcomb 2006 Phys. Med. Biol. 51 N179 DOI 10.1088/0031-9155/51/9/N02

0031-9155/51/9/N179

Abstract

Alpha-particle emitters are currently being considered for the treatment of micrometastatic disease. Based on in vitro studies, it has been speculated that only a few alpha-particle hits to the cell nucleus are considered lethal. However, such estimates do not consider the stochastic variations in the number of alpha-particle hits, energy deposited, or in the cell survival process itself. Using a tumour control probability (TCP) model for alpha-particle emitters, we derive an estimate of the average number of hits to the cell nucleus required to provide a high probability of eradicating a tumour cell population. In simulation studies, our results demonstrate that the average number of hits required to achieve a 90% TCP for 104 clonogenic cells ranges from 18 to 108. Those cells that have large cell nuclei, high radiosensitivities and alpha-particle emissions occurring primarily in the nuclei tended to require more hits. As the clinical implementation of alpha-particle emitters is considered, this type of analysis may be useful in interpreting clinical results and in designing treatment strategies to achieve a favourable therapeutic outcome.

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10.1088/0031-9155/51/9/N02