Neutron-induced Carcinogenic Effects (NICE)—an examination of the biophysics underlying neutron carcinogenesis

中子诱发的致癌效应 (NICE)——对中子致癌作用的生物物理学的检查

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-04778
• 负责人: Kildea, John
• 金额: $ 1.97万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=633331
• 关键词: Neutron; induced; Carcinogenic; Effects; NICE

Our research aims to improve our understanding of the biophysical effects surrounding neutron dose deposition in human tissue. Neutrons are encountered in space, at nuclear power plants, in various industrial applications, and in radiation therapy (RT). Radiological protection measures are designed to protect human populations from the risk that neutrons (and other forms of radiation) pose. While these measures are generally adequate, they cannot protect patients undergoing RT. Neutrons that are generated as by-product, radiation during high-energy (>10 MeV) photon- and proton-beam RT, cannot be shielded and consequently exposed patients are susceptible to radiation-induced carcinogenesis. The risk is well known and generally accepted, although poorly understood. Efforts currently underway to introduce proton beam RT into Canada have brought the issue into focus. Paediatric patients who are considered the main beneficiaries of proton RT are also the most at risk for second malignancies resulting from the unavoidable whole body dose of secondary radiation that arises in part from neutrons.

我们的研究旨在提高我们对人体组织中中子剂量沉积的生物物理效应的理解。中子在太空、核电站、各种工业应用和放射治疗（RT）中都会遇到。辐射防护措施旨在保护人类免受中子（和其他形式的辐射）的危害。虽然这些措施通常是足够的，但它们不能保护接受RT的患者。在高能（>10 MeV）光子束和质子束RT过程中作为副产品产生的中子，即辐射，不能被屏蔽，因此暴露的患者容易受到辐射诱发的致癌作用。这种风险是众所周知的，也是普遍接受的，尽管人们对这种风险了解甚少。目前正在努力将质子束RT引入加拿大，使这个问题成为焦点。儿科患者被认为是质子RT的主要受益者，也是第二次恶性肿瘤的最大风险，这是由于不可避免的全身剂量的二次辐射，部分来自中子。