The ability to precisely target tumor tissue while minimizing damage to healthy tissue is essential in radiotherapy. Observing the portion of radiation conveyed and assimilated continuously, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, presents huge trouble. Also, existing techniques utilized for checking biochemical markers, for example pH and temperature, are lacking for a thorough assessment of radiotherapy.
To address this test, a joint exploration group from the Shenzhen Organization of Trend Setting Innovation (SIAT) of the Chinese Foundation of Sciences, the Public College of Singapore (NUS), and Tsinghua University has fostered a case-formed swallowable X-beam dosimeter (with a width of 5 mm and thickness of 0.2 mm), which can gauge radiation portion in light of radioluminescence and temperature utilizing a brain network-based relapse model.
The dosimeter was found to be approximately five times more accurate than conventional dose determination methods by the researchers.
“In the future, this capsule may be inserted into the rectum for prostate cancer brachytherapy or into the upper nasal cavity for real-time assessment of the absorbed dose in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, reducing radiation harm to adjacent structures.“
Prof. Sheng Zonghai, one of the corresponding authors.
Nature Biomedical Engineering was the journal that published the study.
To estimate the dose absorbed in the target area, in vivo clinical dosimeters like thermoluminescence sensors, optically excited films, and metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors are typically placed directly on or near the skin of the patient.
In spite of the fact that in vivo dosimetry using electronic portal imaging devices has been considered for treatment verification, it can be costly and subject to photon attenuation, which can alter the patient’s dose.
Separate component model of capsule. Credit: SIAT
A flexible optical fiber encased with X-ray persistent nanoscintillators, a polyaniline film, and a wireless miniaturized luminescence readout device make up the capsule dosimeter.
It can evaluate the dose absorbed during radiotherapy for gastric cancer and be used to monitor treatment for various cancers by further optimizing the capsule’s size. It can also measure pH and temperature.
Exploded three-dimensional view of the capsule dosimeter.
“In the future, this capsule could be placed in the rectum for prostate cancer brachytherapy or in the upper nasal cavity for real-time measurement of the absorbed dose in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, minimizing radiation damage to surrounding structures.”
More information: Bo Hou et al, A swallowable X-ray dosimeter for the real-time monitoring of radiotherapy, Nature Biomedical Engineering (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01024-2
