Models for Translational Proton Radiobiology—From Bench to Bedside and Back

SIMPLE SUMMARY: An increasing number of cancer patients are treated with proton therapy. Nevertheless, there are still open questions that require preclinical studies, for example, those regarding long-term side effects or new treatment approaches. In this review, we discuss the main research topics of proton radiobiology and describe the typical challenges related to preclinical experiments in this field. We provide a summary of the different available preclinical models, and how they were applied to conduct proton-specific research in the past. This includes cell culture models of increasing complexity, animal studies, and computer simulations. In addition, we give an overview of possible endpoints and suggest models from other disciplines for adaptation to biomedical proton research. In doing so, we contribute to designing meaningful research studies in the future, which will ultimately help to improve patient treatment. ABSTRACT: The number of proton therapy centers worldwide are increasing steadily, with more than two million cancer patients treated so far. Despite this development, pending questions on proton radiobiology still call for basic and translational preclinical research. Open issues are the on-going discussion on an energy-dependent varying proton RBE (relative biological effectiveness), a better characterization of normal tissue side effects and combination treatments with drugs originally developed for photon therapy. At the same time, novel possibilities arise, such as radioimmunotherapy, and new proton therapy schemata, such as FLASH irradiation and proton mini-beams. The study of those aspects demands for radiobiological models at different stages along the translational chain, allowing the investigation of mechanisms from the molecular level to whole organisms. Focusing on the challenges and specifics of proton research, this review summarizes the different available models, ranging from in vitro systems to animal studies of increasing complexity as well as complementing in silico approaches.