Verification of linear energy transfer optimized carbon-ion radiotherapy.

Abstract

Linear energy transfer (LET) verification was conducted using a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) microdosimeter during the commissioning of LET-optimized carbon-ion radiotherapy. This advanced treatment technique is expected to improve local control rates, especially in hypoxic tumors. 
Approach: An SOI microdosimeter with a cylindrical sensitive volume of 30 μm diameter and 5 μm thickness was used. Simple cubic plans and patient plans using the carbon-ion beams were created by treatment planning system, and the calculated LETd values were compared with the measured LETd values obtained by the SOI microdosimeter. 
Main results: Reasonable agreement between the measured and calculated LETd was seen in the plateau region of depth LETd profile, whereas the measured LETd were below the calculated LETd in the peak region, specifically where LETd exceeds 75 keV/μm. The discrepancy in the peak region may arise from the uncertainties in the calibration process of the SOI microdosimeter. Excluding the peak region, the average ratio and standard deviation between measured and calculated LETd values were 0.996 and 7%, respectively. 
Significance: This verification results in the initiation of clinical trials for LET-optimized carbon-ion radiotherapy at QST Hospital, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology.