A First step toward for Prompt Gamma Ray imaging technique during Antiproton Therapy using Boron particle

In this study, we propose a tumor monitoring technique using prompt gamma rays emitted from the reaction between an antiproton and a boron particle, and verify the improvement of the therapeutic effectiveness of the antiproton boron fusion therapy compared with proton and antiproton beam without boron. The tumor monitoring system during the antiproton therapy was simulated using the Monte Carlo simulation code. We acquired the percentage depth dose of the antiproton beam from a water phantom with and without three boron uptake regions (BURs; region A, B, and C). The obtained results were compared with the performance of a conventional proton beam. The tomographic image of the BURs was reconstructed using prompt gamma ray events which sorted from the single photon emission tomography during the treatment. In addition, quantitative methods were adopted to show the accuracy of the reconstructed image. The tomographic image using 719 keV prompt gamma ray showed that the BUR was successfully identified from the simulation results. Moreover, the maximum peak of antiproton beam with boron is almost three times greater than that of proton beam. We confirmed the feasibility of tumor monitoring during the antiproton therapy as well as the superior therapeutic effect of the antiproton boron fusion therapy.