Medical physics dataset article: A database of FLASH murine in vivo studies

Abstract

Purpose: The FLASH effect refers to a lower normal tissue damage for an equivalent tumor response, potentially widening the therapeutic window for radiotherapy. Although this effect has been demonstrated in various experiments using different types of particles and irradiation parameters, the underlying mechanism is not yet clearly understood. Uncertainties surround the conducted experiments, the explored parameter space, and the variability of reported results. To gain a better overview, we have created a dataset that includes in vivo FLASH experiments. This dataset documents all machine and biological dosimetric parameters, and for determined endpoints, it includes the outcome of the experiment. Our goal with this database is to increase awareness of the results and their variability and provide a useful research and analysis tool for the community.

Acquisition and validation methods: The database contains peer-reviewed papers published until March 2024 on the FLASH in vivo (murine) experiments. From each paper, previously defined parameters have been manually extracted and/or recalculated to ensure compatibility within the database entries.

Data format and usage notes: We provide two types of datasets: a user-friendly web-based Notion database and spreadsheets on a Zenodo repository. The database contains all the reviewed papers with extracted information in text or numeric form. Users can duplicate the database or view, search, filter, and reorganize online entries. The spreadsheets contain the data for the most analyzed endpoints (skin toxicity, survival rate, and crypt cells), allowing a comparative analysis.

Potential applications: The study has two main applications. The web-based database will allow for a user-friendly search of information and metadata of all published FLASH murine data. This will facilitate future research efforts to better understand the FLASH effect. The spreadsheets are a simple and useful tool for the community to conduct statistical analysis and determine the parameters associated with the FLASH effect.

Keywords: FLASH effect; in vivo experiments; preclinical database.

FIGURE 1

Simplified version of the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for systematic reviews.

FIGURE 2

Screenshot of the Notion database

FIGURE 3

Illustration of the definition used to collect machine specific parameters.