In vitro measurement of proton RBE: A multi-centric comparison using a harmonized setup

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Olga Sokol - , GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (Author)
  • Anders Tobias Frederiksen - , Aarhus University (Author)
  • Mateusz Sitarz - , Aarhus University, National Graduates School of Engineering of Caen (Author)
  • Brita Singers Sørensen - , Aarhus University (Author)
  • Elham Santina - , University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Christopher Smith - , University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • John William Warmenhoven - , University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Marie Davídková - , Czech Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Anna Jelínek Michaelidesová - , Czech Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Irina Danilová - , Czech Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Oldřich Zahradníček - , Czech Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Amélia Maia Leite - , Institut Curie (Author)
  • Ludovic de Marzi - , Institut Curie (Author)
  • Frederic Pouzoulet - , Institut Curie, Université Paris-Saclay (Author)
  • Paweł Olko - , Polish Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Justyna Miszczyk - , Polish Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Barbara Orzechowska - , Polish Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Eleftherios Papalanis - , Uppsala University (Author)
  • Mehran Hariri - , Uppsala University (Author)
  • Diana Spiegelberg - , Uppsala University (Author)
  • Bo Stenerlöw - , Uppsala University (Author)
  • Alexandru Dasu - , Uppsala University, The Skandion Clinic (Author)
  • Elisabeth Bodenstein - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Elke Beyreuther - , OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) (Author)
  • Jörg Pawelke - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), OncoRay - National Centre for Radiation Research in Oncology (Author)
  • Dorothee Pfitzmann - , Department of Radiation Oncology, OncoRay - National Centre for Radiation Research in Oncology (Author)
  • Karen Kirkby - , University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Nicholas Henthorn - , University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Marco Durante - , GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Technische Universität Darmstadt (Author)

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study presents a multi-center comparison of in vitro cell survival measurements and RBE calculations following proton irradiations conducted under harmonized experimental conditions across six European institutions participating in the INSPIRE framework. Materials and methods: V79-4 cells were irradiated using spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) proton fields of two configurations delivering 6 and 8 Gy with widths of 6 and 4 cm, respectively. Each center adhered to a standardized protocol, utilizing the same phantom design to minimize uncertainties related to sample positioning. X-ray reference irradiations were also performed to assess cell radiosensitivity across the participating centers. Results: Despite the consistent protocol, significant inter-institutional variability was observed in the survival measurements. For both treatment plans, the largest variation was detected in the most distal points of the SOBP (coefficients of variation of 43 % and 60 % for the 6 Gy and 8 Gy plans, respectively). Kruskal-Wallis statistical test confirmed the significant differences between the centers for each of the measured position in the proton field for both SOBP configurations. Discrepancies were observed in calculated RBE data as well, albeit preserving the expected trend for the values to slightly increase towards the distal edge of the SOBP (up to 1.5 and 1.3 for the 6 Gy and 8 Gy plans, respectively). Conclusion: The results of the study highlight the minimal biological variation one could expect performing proton RBE measurements in well-aligned experimental conditions and challenges in conducting large-scale, multi-center radiobiological experiments and inter-comparisons between literature data sets.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number100978
Number of pages9
JournalClinical and translational radiation oncology
Volume53
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 40485910

Keywords

Keywords

  • Cell survival, Proton therapy, Relative biological effectiveness