Adaptation of geometrical model for simulations in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy

Abstract

The interaction of ionizing particles with the DNA induces biological damages, including cancer. However, this disease can be treated by ionizing radiation, which is known as radiation therapy. Recently, a new cancer treatment modality is under development, known as Targeted Radionuclide Therapy. It is based on the use of new radioactive isotopes linked to a vector molecule that carries the isotope to the cancer cells. This is strongly demanding research, both on pharmaco-kinetics and radiobiology. Our group is collaborating with groups from Oxford University and GANIL, in France, to study this problem. Our contribution will be the estimation of the relative biological effectiveness of different isotopes used in this treatment modality. To that end, we will use biophysical models developed in our group to simulate the interaction of ionizing radiations with the human genetical material.