Computational modeling of radiobiological effects in bone metastases for different radionuclides.

PURPOSE: Computational simulation is a simple and practical way to study and to compare a variety of radioisotopes for different medical applications, including the palliative treatment of bone metastases. This study aimed to evaluate and compare cellular effects modelled for different radioisotopes currently in use or under research for treatment of bone metastases using computational methods.

METHODS: Computational models were used to estimate the radiation-induced cellular effects (Virtual Cell Radiobiology algorithm) post-irradiation with selected particles emitted by Strontium-89 (89 Sr), Samarium-153 (153 Sm), Lutetium-177 (177 Lu), and Radium-223 (223 Ra).

RESULTS: Cellular kinetics post-irradiation using89 Sr β- particles,153 Sm β-  particles,177 Lu β-  particles and223 Ra α particles showed that the cell response was dose- and radionuclide-dependent.177 Lu beta minus particles and, in particular,223 Ra alpha particles, yielded the lowest survival fraction of all investigated particles.

CONCLUSIONS: 223 Ra alpha particles induced the highest cell death of all investigated particles on metastatic prostate cells in comparison to irradiation with β-  radionuclides, two of the most frequently used radionuclides in the palliative treatment of bone metastases in clinical routine practice. Moreover, the data obtained suggest that the used computational methods might provide some perception about cellular effects following irradiation with different radionuclides.