A portable fast neutron irradiation system for tumor therapy. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jing, Shiwei; Guo, Huanhuan; Qi, Yanxin; Yang, Guifu; Huang, Yubin
• Is Part Of: Applied radiation and isotopes. Volume 160(2020:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Fast neutron -- Portable irradiation system -- Tumor therapy; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Nuclear chemistry -- Periodicals; Internet resource; Periodical; 660.298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-8043

Abstract

Abstract: A portable neutron tube was introduced as a small-sized (weight≤14.4 kg, power consumption ≤50W and cost≤ $100, 000) neutron accelerator and applied for irradiation therapy on cancer. The effect of growth-inhibiting in vitro by neutrons irradiation on HeLa cells (human cervical cancer cells) was evaluated by colony formation assays, and cell apoptosis was evaluated by Flow Cytometry. A polyethylene protection device as the neutron moderator was designed and connected to the neutron tube to shield normal tissue and organs of the test animals from scatter radiation. Hematology and blood biochemistry were investigated to evaluate the protective effect of polyethylene. U14 (mice cervical cancer cell) tumor-bearing mice were further investigated to determine the tumor suppression effect of neutron irradiation. We found that cells showed a dose-dependent relationship after fast neutrons irradiation at different dose (1.11 Gy, 2.23 Gy, 3.34 Gy and 4.45Gy). Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that the anti-tumor effect on U14 tumor-bearing mice greatly depended on the neutron irradiation dose. A high dose of fast neutron irradiation (26.73 Gy) could have tumor growth rate only 12.31% compared to 56.07% with control group. All the blood cell counts and blood biochemistry parameters were in the standard value ranges. Immunohistochemistry examinations clearly indicated the apoptosis cells in tumor tissues by the TUNEL assay. This work provides useful evidences on cancer irradiation therapy using fast neutron in pre-clinical study. And the neutron therapy system device has great potential to be a more convenient tool in clinical application with significantly lower power consumption, irradiation toxicity and cost. Highlights: A portable neutron tube was introduced for irradiation therapy on tumor. A polyethylene protection device was designed to efficiently alleviate the radiation harm on the test animals. The neutron therapy system was studied on the tumor suppression effect in vitro and in vivo for the first time. The neutron therapy system device significantly reduces power consumption, irradiation toxicity and cost.