Comparison of different cell-cluster models for cell-level dosimetry

An important factor in dose calculations for targeted radionuclide therapy is the cell-cluster model used. We developed a cell-cluster model based on optimization through mechanical hard-sphere collisions. The geometrical properties and the dosimetric effects of the new model were compared with those of two previous models, i.e. the traditional lattice model and our CellPacker model in which the cells are individually and systematically piled as a cluster. The choice of the cell-cluster model has an effect on the calculated mean absorbed doses in the cells. While CellPacker produces clusters with distinct tumour-healthy tissue interface, our new model is able to make the interface diffuse. Outside the interface the new model is capable to pack cells tighter than CellPacker enabling the description of tissues of higher cellular density. Our two cluster models make it possible to construct the cluster model according to the tissue in question.