A Mouse Model for Microbeam Radiation Therapy of the Lung

Purpose Radiation therapy is an important treatment component for patients with lung cancer. However, the survival time gained with clinical radiation therapy techniques is relatively short. Data from preclinical experiments suggest that synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy could be much better suited to control malignant brain tumors than current clinical concepts of radiation therapy. Even at peak doses of several hundred gray, the extent of functional deficits is low. Methods and Materials We have developed the first mouse model to study the effects of microbeam irradiation in lung tissue. Results Up to peak doses of 400 Gy, no acute adverse effects were seen. Conclusion This model is well suited to explore the potential of microbeam radiation therapy in the treatment of lung cancer and the response of normal lung tissue and organs at risk.