Radial dependence of ionization clustering around a gold nanoparticle irradiated by X-rays under charged particle equilibrium

Abstract

Objective: This work explores the enhancement of ionization clustering and its radial dependence around a gold nanoparticle (NP), indicative of the induction of DNA lesions, a potential trigger for cell-death.

Approach: Monte Carlo track structure simulations were performed to determine (a) the spectral fluence of incident photons and electrons in water around a gold NP under charged particle equilibrium conditions and (b) the density of ionization clusters produced on average as well as conditional on the occurrence of at east one interaction in the nanoparticle using Associated Volume Clustering. Absorbed dose was determined for comparison with a recent benchmark intercomparison. Reported quantities are normalized to primary fluence, allowing to establish a connection to macroscopic dosimetric quantities.

Main results: The modification of the electron spectral fluence by the gold NP is minor and mainly occurs at low energies. The net fluence of electrons emitted from the NP is dominated by electrons resulting from photon interactions. Similar to the known dose enhancement, increased ionization clustering is
limited to a distance from the NP surface of up to 200 nm. The number of clusters per energy imparted is increased at distances of up to 150
nm, and accordingly the enhancement in clustering notably surpasses that of dose enhancement. Smaller NPs cause noticeable peaks in the conditional frequency of clusters between 50 nm to 100 nm from the NP surface. 

Significance: This work shows that low energy electrons emitted by nanoparticles lead to an increase of ionization clustering in their vicinity exceeding that of energy imparted. 
While the electron component of the radiation field plays an important role in determining the background contribution to ionization clustering and energy imparted, the dosimetric effects of nanoparticles are governed by the interplay of secondary electron production by photon interaction and their ability to leave the nanoparticle.