Prediction of biological radiation effects based on ionization clusters (nanodosimetry)
Abstract
This article reviews approaches that link the formation of ionization clusters in nanometric volumes to radiobiological effectiveness. The corresponding models were developed as the field of nanodosimetry developed. Some address early biological radiation effects, such as DNA damage, while most aim to predict cell survival or inactivation. The models also differ in the nanodosimetric quantities considered, with many based on the probability distribution of ionization cluster formation in a single target. Some models account for the synergistic effects of pairs of ionization clusters formed in different targets. Several models feature macroscopic aggregation frameworks based on particle fluence, which are proposed for use in radiotherapy treatment planning, particularly in ion-beam radiotherapy. The models are presented here using harmonized terminology and notation for nanodosimetric quantities. An extension of the conceptual framework of nanodosimetry is also discussed. This extension transitions from a target-centered description to a track-centered description. It also introduces nanodosimetry-based analogs of dosimetric concepts, such as dose and linear energy transfer. This paper traces and summarizes the historical development of nanodosimetry-based biological effect models and discusses conceptual aspects of the models to reveal their underlying assumptions and the extent to which they are mechanistic or merely elucidate correlations. Eventually, an attempt is made to identify the key open questions in this field that still need to be addressed.
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BibTeX
@misc{rabus2026prediction,
title = {{Prediction of biological radiation effects based on ionization clusters (nanodosimetry)}},
author = {Hans Rabus},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2606.29945},
eprint = {2606.29945},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.29945},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Prediction of biological radiation effects based on ionization clusters (nanodosimetry)
AU - Hans Rabus
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/22
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2606.29945
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.29945
AB - This article reviews approaches that link the formation of ionization clusters in nanometric volumes to radiobiological effectiveness. The corresponding models were developed as the field of nanodosimetry developed. Some address early biological radiation effects, such as DNA damage, while most aim to predict cell survival or inactivation. The models also differ in the nanodosimetric quantities considered, with many based on the probability distribution of ionization cluster formation in a single target. Some models account for the synergistic effects of pairs of ionization clusters formed in different targets. Several models feature macroscopic aggregation frameworks based on particle fluence, which are proposed for use in radiotherapy treatment planning, particularly in ion-beam radiotherapy. The models are presented here using harmonized terminology and notation for nanodosimetric quantities. An extension of the conceptual framework of nanodosimetry is also discussed. This extension transitions from a target-centered description to a track-centered description. It also introduces nanodosimetry-based analogs of dosimetric concepts, such as dose and linear energy transfer. This paper traces and summarizes the historical development of nanodosimetry-based biological effect models and discusses conceptual aspects of the models to reveal their underlying assumptions and the extent to which they are mechanistic or merely elucidate correlations. Eventually, an attempt is made to identify the key open questions in this field that still need to be addressed.
ER -