Feasibility of Nanoparticle-Guided Radiation Therapy (NGRT) Using a Conventional CT Scanner

摘要

Recent studies have demonstrated preferential accumulation of nanoparticles within tumor. By combining high Z nanoparticles (such as gold) with x-rays from a conventional CT scanner, a significant radiation dose enhancement is possible. In this study, the dose enhancement was quantified based on nanoparticle accumulation within a vessel inside of a phantom. Monte Carlo calculations based on a nanoparticle uptake of 10 mg/g irradiated with 140 kVp x-rays from a CT scanner resulted in a radiation dose enhancement of 2.45. That is, a delivered radiation dose of 10 Gy would be equivalent to delivering 24.5 Gy. The results of this study suggest that this approach holds the potential to deliver a significant dose to the tumor, while limiting the dose to the surrounding normal tissues.