A dose-response curve for biodosimetry from a 6 MV electron linear accelerator

Biological dosimetry (biodosimetry) is based on the investigation ofradiation-induced biological effects (biomarkers), mainly dicentric chromosomes, inorder to correlate them with radiation dose. To interpret the dicentric score interms of absorbed dose, a calibration curve is needed. Each curve should beconstructed with respect to basic physical parameters, such as the type of ionizingradiation characterized by low or high linear energy transfer (LET) and dose rate.This study was designed to obtain dose calibration curves by scoring of dicentricchromosomes in peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated in vitro witha 6 MV electron linear accelerator (Mevatron M, Siemens, USA). Two software programs,CABAS (Chromosomal Aberration Calculation Software) and Dose Estimate, were used togenerate the curve. The two software programs are discussed; the results obtainedwere compared with each other and with other published low LET radiation curves. Bothsoftware programs resulted in identical linear and quadratic terms for the curvepresented here, which was in good agreement with published curves for similarradiation quality and dose rates.