Enhancement Evaluation of Energy Deposition and Secondary Particle Production in Gold Nanoparticle Aided Tumor Using Proton Therapy

Numerous qualitative studies have been carried out on the safety and clinical use of GNPs as a radio-sensitizer in tumors, using proton therapy and the results have been promising. However, some quantitative studies should be conducted in order to examine the factors affecting this method.
Monte Carlo simulation was performed by MCNPX code to assess pristine Bragg peak, spread-out bragg peak (SOBP), and secondary particle production enhancement in GNPs radio-sensitized tumor using proton therapy.
The results show several percent dose enhancement within and its reduction after the tumor site. A little increase in neutron production and no deviation for photon production is indicated.
Finally, it can be concluded that sensitization of a realistic tumor can be beneficial during the proton therapy.