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SU-E-T-408: Enhancing Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Using Gold
W Ngwa1, M Makrigiorgos1, R Berbeco1
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Medical Physics
|May 19, 2017
Summary
Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) show promise as radiosensitizers for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Calculations indicate AuNP significantly enhance radiation dose to targeted cells, potentially improving stereotactic radiosurgery efficacy for AMD.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a primary cause of irreversible vision loss in individuals over 60.
- Neovascular AMD presents a significant challenge in vision loss treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dosimetric feasibility of using gold nanoparticles (AuNP) as radiosensitizers.
- To enhance stereotactic radiosurgery for neovascular AMD.
Main Methods:
- Analytic calculations estimated the nucleus dose enhancement factor (nDEF) from AuNP in endothelial cells (EC).
- Calculations used clinically relevant 100 kVp x-rays and modeled EC with targeted AuNP.
- nDEF was assessed for AuNP concentrations of 1-7 mg/g across various kilovoltage x-ray energies.
Main Results:
- For 100 kVp x-rays, nDEF values ranged from 1.30 to 3.26 for AuNP concentrations of 1-7 mg/g.
- Similar dose enhancements were observed for other kilovoltage x-ray energies (80-120 kVp).
Conclusions:
- Gold nanoparticles can substantially enhance radiation dose to the nucleus of neovascular endothelial cells.
- AuNP show potential as radiosensitizers to improve therapeutic outcomes in stereotactic radiosurgery for neovascular AMD.
