title: Water versus DNA: new insights into proton track-structure modelling in radiobiology and radiotherapy.
abstract: Water is a common surrogate of DNA for modelling the charged particle-induced ionizing processes in living tissue exposed to radiations. The present study aims at scrutinizing the validity of this approximation and then revealing new insights into proton-induced energy transfers by a comparative analysis between water and realistic biological medium. In this context, a self-consistent quantum mechanical modelling of the ionization and electron capture processes is reported within the continuum distorted wave-eikonal initial state framework for both isolated water molecules and DNA components impacted by proton beams. Their respective probability of occurrence-expressed in terms of total cross sections-as well as their energetic signature (potential and kinetic) are assessed in order to clearly emphasize the differences existing between realistic building blocks of living matter and the controverted water-medium surrogate. Consequences in radiobiology and radiotherapy will be discussed in particular in view of treatment planning refinement aiming at better radiotherapy strategies.
authors.affiliation: Université de Bordeaux, CNRS/IN2P3, Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan, Gradignan, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Quinto
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Weck
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Fojón
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hanssen
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Rivarola
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004583:Electrons; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D011522:Protons; D011853:Radiobiology; D011878:Radiotherapy; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D014867:Water; D004247:DNA