Technical and dosimetric realization of in vivo x-ray microbeam irradiations at the Munich Compact Light Source

Burger K, Urban T, Dombrowsky AC, Dierolf M, Gunther B, Bartzsch S, Achterhold K, Combs SE, Schmid TE, Wilkens JJ, Pfeiffer F (2020)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Book Volume: 47

Pages Range: 5183-5193

Journal Issue: 10

DOI: 10.1002/mp.14433

Abstract

Purpose: X-ray microbeam radiation therapy is a preclinical concept for tumor treatment promising tissue sparing and enhanced tumor control. With its spatially separated, periodic micrometer-sized pattern, this method requires a high dose rate and a collimated beam typically available at large synchrotron radiation facilities. To treat small animals with microbeams in a laboratory-sized environment, we developed a dedicated irradiation system at the Munich Compact Light Source (MuCLS). Methods: A specially made beam collimation optic allows to increase x-ray fluence rate at the position of the target. Monte Carlo simulations and measurements were conducted for accurate microbeam dosimetry. The dose during irradiation is determined by a calibrated flux monitoring system. Moreover, a positioning system including mouse monitoring was built. Results: We successfully commissioned the in vivo microbeam irradiation system for an exemplary xenograft tumor model in the mouse ear. By beam collimation, a dose rate of up to 5.3 Gy/min at 25 keV was achieved. Microbeam irradiations using a tungsten collimator with 50 μm slit size and 350 μm center-to-center spacing were performed at a mean dose rate of 0.6 Gy/min showing a high peak-to-valley dose ratio of about 200 in the mouse ear. The maximum circular field size of 3.5 mm in diameter can be enlarged using field patching. Conclusions: This study shows that we can perform in vivo microbeam experiments at the MuCLS with a dedicated dosimetry and positioning system to advance this promising radiation therapy method at commercially available compact microbeam sources. Peak doses of up to 100 Gy per treatment seem feasible considering a recent upgrade for higher photon flux. The system can be adapted for tumor treatment in different animal models, for example, in the hind leg.

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How to cite

APA:

Burger, K., Urban, T., Dombrowsky, A.C., Dierolf, M., Gunther, B., Bartzsch, S.,... Pfeiffer, F. (2020). Technical and dosimetric realization of in vivo x-ray microbeam irradiations at the Munich Compact Light Source. Medical Physics, 47(10), 5183-5193. https://doi.org/10.1002/mp.14433

MLA:

Burger, Karin, et al. "Technical and dosimetric realization of in vivo x-ray microbeam irradiations at the Munich Compact Light Source." Medical Physics 47.10 (2020): 5183-5193.

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