Dosimetry for gadolinium neutron capture therapy (GdNCT)

Background: Gadolinium (Gd) neutron capture therapy (GdNCT) is based on a neutron capture reaction (NCR) that involves emission of both short and long range products. The aim of this study was to investigate both the microscopic and macroscopic contributions of the absorbed dose involved in GdNCT. Methods: Cylindrical containers with diameters 1–30 mm filled with a solution of Gd were irradiated with epithermal neutrons. The background neutron dose as well as the prompt gamma dose has been calculated and measured by means of film dosimetry for the largest cylinder. Monte Carlo codes MCNP5(b) and GEANT4 have been utilized for calculation the absorbed dose. Results and discussion: Results from the film dosimetry are in agreement with the calculations for high doses while for low doses the measured values are higher than the calculated results. For the largest cylinder, the prompt gamma dose from GdNCR neutron is at least five times higher than the background dose. For a cell cluster model, in the first 0.1 mm the major contribution to the absorbed dose is from IC electrons. If Gd atoms were homogeneously distributed in the nuclei of all tumour cells, capture events between neutron and Gd atoms close to DNA could kill the tumour cells and give cross-fire dose from IC electrons to the cells located in the 0.1 mm range. Conclusions: For a correct GdNCT dosimetry both microscopic part of the dose delivered by short-range low energy electrons and macroscopic part delivered by the prompt gamma should be considered. -- Highlights: • Large tumour: prompt gamma dose is five times higher than the background dose. • Cell cluster: first 0.1 mm majority of the absorbed dose is from IC electrons. • Capture events between neutron and Gd atoms close to DNA could kill the tumour cells. • Cross-fire dose from IC electrons can reach cells located in the 0.1 mm range