Molecular and Nanoscale Sensors for Detecting Ionizing Radiation in Radiotherapy

Abstract

Ever since the discovery of radioactivity,b eneficial use of ionizing radiation has been pursued for the betterment of human health. In particular, fractionated radiotherapy is commonlyu sed in the clinic fora blation of malignant tumors. Use of higher radiation dose fractionsa nd complex dose trajectories necessitate measurements of radiation dose delivered to the target tissue and surrounding tissues in order to ensure patient safety.T raditional dosimeters including polymer gel dosimeters, radiochromic films and metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) suffer from limitations, whichc omplicate their day-to-day use in the clinic. Molecular and nanoscale systems offer great potentialf or the development of effective sensors of ionizingr adiation,w hich can lead to quantitative dosimeters in biological settings. Thisr eview discusses recent developments based on organic and inorganic molecular and nanoscale dosimeters including quantum dots,p olymers and plasmonic nanoparticles as platforms for radiation sensing. Potential advantages and challenges of translating these technologiestoc linical applicationsare also discussed.

Protein‐facilitated gold nanoparticle formation as indicators of ionizing radiation

“…Upon exposure to therapeutic levels of ionizing radiation, the MBP‐based sensor system forms gold nanoparticles with a dose‐dependent color that can be used to predict the amount of delivered X‐ray dose. To our knowledge, such radiation dose‐dependent changes in color have not been previously reported (Pushpavanam et al, ).…”

“…Molecular and nanoscale systems offer effective solutions towards the development of simple yet novel approaches towards the detection of ionizing radiation (Karthik Pushpavanam, Narayanan, & Rege, ). Organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites have been recently employed to quantitatively measure radiation exposure (Pan et al, ; Wei et al, ).…”

Hydrogel Nanosensors for Colorimetric Detection and Dosimetry in Proton Beam Radiotherapy

“…They also serve as a reference point for commercially available dosimeters. Doping with high Z microscale materials are found to enhance sensitivity of the alanine systems to X-rays 11 . This is because, incorporating the plasmonic particles in the matrix increase the dose enhancement factor (ratio of the mass absorption coefficient of the nanocomposite to that of pure alanine).…”

Dual-Color Plasmonic Nanosensor for Radiation Dosimetry

“…Paper-based colorimetric assay. (a) Gold nanorods and (b) silver nanoprisms were irradiated at the indicated doses and spotted on the filter paper (gold nanorods: 0, 1,3,5,8,10,15,20,25,and 30 Gy,silver nanoprisms: 0,0.5,1,1.5,2,2.5,3,4,and 5 Gy). ATM activation by IR and ROS.…”

“…Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation (X-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, protons, and charged particles) to eliminate cancer cells, control their growth, and metastasis. 1 However, if not properly controlled, radiation can also damage normal cells and induce rate-limiting toxicity in nearby healthy tissues. 2 Radiation-induced skin pathologies, osteonecrosis, and other complications have been reported.…”