Biological effects of mixed-ion beams. Part 1: Effect of irradiation of the CHO-K1 cells with a mixed-ion beam containing the carbon and oxygen ions

Carbon and oxygen ions were accelerated simultaneously to estimate the effect of irradiation of living cells with the two different ions. This mixed ion beam was used to irradiate the CHO-K1 cells, and a survival test was performed. The type of the effect of the mixed ion beam on the cells was determined with the isobologram method, whereby survival curves for irradiations with individual ion beams were also used. An additive effect of irradiation with the two ions was found. •Mixed beam containing carbon and oxygen ions was accelerated by cyclotron.•CHO-K1 cells were irradiated by mixed beam and survival fraction was observed.•Isobologram method was applied to define additive effect of action of mixed ions.