Response of the rat Dunning R3327-AT1 prostate tumor to treatment with fractionated fast neutrons

Reports indicate that cancer of the prostate, soft tissue sarcomas, salivary gland tumors, and melanomas respond well to fast-neutron treatment. To better understand the action of fast neutrons on such tumor tissues, we have begun studies with the versatile Dunning rat prostate tumor system. In our initial studies with the R3327-AT1 subline we observed a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of approximately 3 for single doses of 14-MeV fast neutrons. As a continuation of those studies the present report discusses our findings following fractionated treatments with 10 equal fractions of 14-MeV fast neutrons or 60Co γ rays at several dose levels per fraction. After either fractionated neutron or photon treatment the volume of the tumors continued to increase for 2 weeks and then reached a plateau, the level of which was dose dependent. Tumor growth resumed and no local control was observed. Analysis of the data using growth delay as biological end point yielded an RBE of approximately 4.2 ± 1.3.