Radiobiological study by using laser-driven proton beams
Abstract
Particle acceleration driven by high-intensity laser systems is widely attracting interest as a potential alternative to conventional ion acceleration, including ion accelerator applications to tumor therapy. Recent works have shown that a high intensity laser pulse can produce single proton bunches of a high current and a short pulse duration. This unique feature of laser-ion acceleration can lead to progress in the development of novel ion sources. However, there has been no experimental study of the biological effects of laser-driven ion beams. We describe in this report the first demonstrated irradiation effect of laser-accelerated protons on human lung cancer cells. In-vitro A549 cells are irradiated with a proton dose of 20 Gy, resulting in a distinct formation of γ-H2AX foci as an indicator of DNA double-strand breaks. This is a pioneering result that points to future investigations of the radiobiological effects of laser-driven ion beams. The laser-driven ion beam is apotential excitation source for time-resolved determination of hydroxyl (OH) radical yield, which will explore relationship between the fundamental chemical reactions of radiation effects and consequent biological processes.
- Publication:
-
Laser-Driven Relativistic Plasmas Applied to Science, Industry and Medicine: 2nd International Symposium
- Pub Date:
- July 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.3204555
- Bibcode:
- 2009AIPC.1153..438Y
- Keywords:
-
- 41.75.Jv;
- 87.53.Jw;
- 41.75.Ht;
- Laser-driven acceleration;
- Brachytherapy;
- Relativistic electron and positron beams