Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prompt gamma ray imaging technique according to the clinical boron concentration range during proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT). To acquire a prompt gamma ray image from 32 projections, we simulated four head single photon emission computed tomography and a proton beam nozzle using a Monte Carlo simulation. We used modified ordered subset expectation maximization reconstruction algorithm with a graphic processing unit for fast image acquisition. Boron concentration was set as 20 to 100 μg at intervals of 20 μg. For quantitative analysis of the prompt gamma ray image, we acquired an image profile drawn through two boron uptake regions (BURs) and calculated the contrast value, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and difference between the physical target volume and volume of the prompt gamma ray image. The relative counts of prompt gamma rays were noticeably increased with increasing boron concentration. Although the intensities on the image profiles showed a similar tendency according to the boron concentration, the SNR and contrast value were improved with increasing boron concentration. This study suggests that a tumor monitoring technique using prompt gamma ray detection can be clinically applicable even if the boron concentration is relatively low.
Highlights
The purpose of radiation therapy is delivery of a high dose to the tumor region, while minimizing the irradiation of healthy tissue
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prompt gamma ray imaging technique according to the clinical boron concentration range during proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT)
For quantitative analysis of the prompt gamma ray image, we acquired an image profile drawn through two boron uptake regions (BURs) and calculated the contrast value, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and difference between the physical target volume and volume of the prompt gamma ray image
Summary
The purpose of radiation therapy is delivery of a high dose to the tumor region, while minimizing the irradiation of healthy tissue. The PBFT method is a treatment technique based on the proton-boron fusion reaction [6, 8]. Based on data from our previous studies, we confirmed that the therapeutic effect of PBFT can be improved by as much as 1.5 times compared to that of a proton beam without a boron compound [6, 8]. It was possible to develop a tumor-monitoring technique using a prompt gamma ray during PBFT. The main benefit of this prompt gamma ray imaging technique is a tumor monitoring method that does not require an extra dose during treatment, unlike computed tomography (CT) and X-ray. We can sparsely obtain an idea of the transition of the tumor and boron distribution during particle beam treatment through the method of the nuclear medicine imaging technique
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