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 (Sr-89), Samarium-153 (Sm-153), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Radium-223 (Ra-223).Results: Cellular kinetics post-irradiation using Sr-89 (-) particles, Sm-153 (-)particles, Lu-177 (-)particles and Ra-223 particles showed that the cell response was dose- and radionuclide-dependent. Lu-177 beta minus particles and, in particular, Ra-223 alpha particles, yielded the lowest survival fraction of all investigated particles.Conclusions: Ra-223 alpha particles induced the highest cell death of all investigated particles on metastatic prostate cells in comparison to irradiation with (-)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.