Use of biophysical models for estimating the relative biological effectiveness of isotopes used in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy.

• Grant number: 21/00731-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: April 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Mario Antonio Bernal Rodriguez
• Grantee: William Toshio Watanabe Jugue
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/15316-7 - Study of the interaction of heavy charged particles with DNA using computational methods, AP.JP2

Abstract

The interaction of ionizing particles with the DNA induces biological damages, including Cancer. However, this disease can be treated by ionizing radiation, which is known as Radiation Therapy. Recently, a new Cancer treatment modality is under development, known as Targeted Radionuclide Therapy. It is based on the use of new radioactive isotopes linked to a vector molecule that carries the isotope to the cancer cells. This is strongly demanding research, both on pharmaco-kinetics and radiobiology. Our group is collaborating with groups from Oxford University and GANIL, in France, to study this problem. Our contribution will be the estimation of the relative biological effectiveness of different isotopes used in this treatment modality. To that end, we will use biophysical models developed in our group to simulate the interaction of ionizing radiations with the human genetical material. (AU)