Geant4 Modeling of Cellular Dosimetry of (188)Re: Comparison between Geant4 Predicted Surviving Fraction and Experimentally Surviving Fraction Determined by MTT Assay

BACKGROUND: The importance of cellular dosimetry in both diagnostic and radiation therapy is becoming increasingly recognized. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare surviving fractions, which were predicted using Geant4 and contained three types of cancer cell lines exposed to (188)Re with the experimentally surviving fraction determined by MTT assay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this comparative study, Geant4 was used to simulate the transport of electrons emitted by (188)Re from the cell surface, cytoplasm, nucleus or medium around the cells. The nucleus dose per decay (S-value) was computed for models of single cell and random monolayer cell. Geant4-computed survival fraction (SF) of cancer cells exposed to (188)Re was compared with the experimental SF values of MTT assay. RESULTS: For single cell model, Geant4 S-values of nucleus-to-nucleus were consistent with values reported by Goddu et al. (ratio of S-values by analytical techniques vs. Geant4 = 0.811–0.975). Geant4 S-values of cytoplasm and cell surface to nucleus were relatively comparable to the reported values (ratio =0.914–1.21). For monolayer model, the values of S(Cy→N) and S(CS→N), were greater compared to those for model of single cell (2%–25% and 4%–38% were larger than single cell, respectively). The Geant4 predicted SF for monolayer MCF7, HeLa and A549 cells was in agreement with the experimental data in 10μCi activity (relative error of 2.29%, 2.69% and 2.99%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Geant4 simulation with monolayer cell model showed the highest accuracy in predicting the SF of cancer cells exposed to homogeneous distribution of (188)Re in the medium.