Modelling tissue specific RBE for different radiation qualities based on a multiscale characterization of energy deposition

Purpose We present the nanoCluE model, which uses nano- and microdosimetric quantities to model RBE for protons and carbon ions. Under the hypothesis that nano- and microdosimetric quantities correlates with the generation of complex DNA double strand breakes, we wish to investigate whether an improved accuracy in predicting LQ parameters may be achieved, compared to some of the published RBE models. Methods The model is based on experimental LQ data for protons and carbon ions. We generated a database of track structure data for a number of proton and carbon ion kinetic energies with the Geant4-DNA Monte Carlo code. These data were used to obtain both a nanodosimetric quantity and a set of microdosimetric quantities. The latter were tested with different parameterizations versus experimental LQ-data to select the variable and parametrization that yielded the best fit. Results For protons, the nanoCluE model yielded, for the ratio of the linear LQ term versus the test data, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.57 compared to 1.31 and 1.30 for two earlier other published proton models. For carbon ions the RMSE was 2.26 compared to 3.24 and 5.24 for earlier published carbon ion models. Conclusion These results demonstrate the feasibility of the nanoCluE RBE model for carbon ions and protons. The increased accuracy for carbon ions as compared to two other considered models warrants further investigation.