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Mein S, Wuyckens S, Li X, Both S, Carabe A, Vera MC, Engwall E, Francesco F, Graeff C, Gu W, Hong L, Inaniwa T, Janssens G, de Jong B, Li T, Liang X, Liu G, Lomax A, Mackie T, Mairani A, Mazal A, Nesteruk KP, Paganetti H, Pérez Moreno JM, Schreuder N, Soukup M, Tanaka S, Tessonnier T, Volz L, Zhao L, Ding X. Particle arc therapy: Status and potential. Radiother Oncol 2024; 199:110434. [PMID: 39009306 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
There is a rising interest in developing and utilizing arc delivery techniques with charged particle beams, e.g., proton, carbon or other ions, for clinical implementation. In this work, perspectives from the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 2022 physics workshop on particle arc therapy are reported. This outlook provides an outline and prospective vision for the path forward to clinically deliverable proton, carbon, and other ion arc treatments. Through the collaboration among industry, academic, and clinical research and development, the scientific landscape and outlook for particle arc therapy are presented here to help our community understand the physics, radiobiology, and clinical principles. The work is presented in three main sections: (i) treatment planning, (ii) treatment delivery, and (iii) clinical outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Mein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sophie Wuyckens
- UCLouvain, Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology (MIRO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Corewell Health, William Beaumont University Hospital, Proton Therapy Center, Royal Oak, MI, USA
| | - Stefan Both
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Macarena Chocan Vera
- UCLouvain, Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology (MIRO), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Christian Graeff
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany; Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Wenbo Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liu Hong
- Ion Beam Applications SA, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Taku Inaniwa
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan; Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Bas de Jong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Taoran Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Corewell Health, William Beaumont University Hospital, Proton Therapy Center, Royal Oak, MI, USA; Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Antony Lomax
- Centre for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland; ETH, Department of Physics, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Mackie
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Andrea Mairani
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany; National Centre of Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), Medical Physics, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Konrad P Nesteruk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sodai Tanaka
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Lennart Volz
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany; Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Physik Kondensierter Materie, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lewei Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xuanfeng Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Corewell Health, William Beaumont University Hospital, Proton Therapy Center, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
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Sosa AJ, Rooney MK, Thames HD, Sanders JW, Swanson DM, Choi SL, Nguyen QN, Mok H, Kuban DA, Ron Zhu X, Shah S, Mayo LL, Hoffman KE, Tang C, McGuire SE, Sahoo N, Zhang X, Lee AK, Pugh TJ, Mahmood U, Davis JW, Chapin BF, Corn P, Kudchadker R, Ausat N, Frank SJ. Proton therapy toxicity outcomes for localized prostate cancer: Long-term results at a comprehensive cancer center. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2024; 48:100822. [PMID: 39188999 PMCID: PMC11345681 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2024.100822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Proton therapy (PT) has unique biologic properties with excellent clinical outcomes for the management of localized prostate cancer. Here, we aim to characterize the toxicity of PT for patients with localized prostate cancer and propose mitigation strategies using a large institutional database. Methods We reviewed medical records of 2772 patients with localized prostate cancer treated with definitive PT between May 2006 through January 2020. Disease risk was stratified according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines as low [LR, n = 640]; favorable-intermediate [F-IR, n = 849]; unfavorable-intermediate [U-IR, n = 851]; high [HR, n = 315]; or very high [VHR, n = 117]. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier estimates assessed toxicity and freedom from biochemical relapse (FFBR). Results Median follow-up was 7.0 years. The median dose was 78 Gy(RBE)(range: 72-79.2 Gy) in 2.0 Gy(RBE) fractions; 63 % of patients received 78 Gy(RBE) in 39 fractions, and 29 % received 76 Gy(RBE) in 38 fractions. Overall rates of late grade ≥3 GU and GI toxicity were 0.87 % and 1.01 %, respectively. Two patients developed grade 4 late GU toxicity and seven patients with grade 4 late GI toxicity. All patients experiencing severe late grade 4 toxicities were treated to 78 Gy(RBE) in 39 fractions with 80 Gy(RBE) dose to the anterior rectal wall and/or bladder neck. The 10-year FFBR rates for patients with LR to U-IR disease were compared between those treated with 76 and 78 Gy(RBE); the rates were 94.5 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 92.4-96.0 %) and 93.2 % (95 % CI 91.3-95.7 %), respectively (log-rank p = 0.22). Conclusions Proton therapy is associated with low rates of late grade ≥3 GU and GI toxicity. While rare, late grade 4 toxicities occurred in nine (0.3 %) patients. De-escalation to a total dose of 76 Gy(RBE) yields excellent clinical outcomes for patients with LR to U-IR disease with the potential for significant reductions in grade ≥3 late toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J. Sosa
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michael K. Rooney
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Howard D. Thames
- Departments of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jeremiah W. Sanders
- Departments of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David M. Swanson
- Departments of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Seungtaek L. Choi
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Quynh-Nhu Nguyen
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Henry Mok
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Deborah A. Kuban
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - X. Ron Zhu
- Departments of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shalin Shah
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lauren L. Mayo
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Karen E. Hoffman
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chad Tang
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sean E. McGuire
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Narayan Sahoo
- Departments of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Departments of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andrew K. Lee
- Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Irving TX, United States
| | - Thomas J. Pugh
- University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Usama Mahmood
- Torrance Memorial Hunt Cancer Institute, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - John W. Davis
- Departments of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Brian F. Chapin
- Departments of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Paul Corn
- Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Reena Kudchadker
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Noveen Ausat
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steven J. Frank
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Starke S, Kieslich A, Palkowitsch M, Hennings F, G C Troost E, Krause M, Bensberg J, Hahn C, Heinzelmann F, Bäumer C, Lühr A, Timmermann B, Löck S. A deep-learning-based surrogate model for Monte-Carlo simulations of the linear energy transfer in primary brain tumor patients treated with proton-beam radiotherapy. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:165034. [PMID: 39019053 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad64b7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Objective.This study explores the use of neural networks (NNs) as surrogate models for Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations in predicting the dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) of protons in proton-beam therapy based on the planned dose distribution and patient anatomy in the form of computed tomography (CT) images. As LETdis associated with variability in the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons, we also evaluate the implications of using NN predictions for normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models within a variable-RBE context.Approach.The predictive performance of three-dimensional NN architectures was evaluated using five-fold cross-validation on a cohort of brain tumor patients (n= 151). The best-performing model was identified and externally validated on patients from a different center (n= 107). LETdpredictions were compared to MC-simulated results in clinically relevant regions of interest. We assessed the impact on NTCP models by leveraging LETdpredictions to derive RBE-weighted doses, using the Wedenberg RBE model.Main results.We found NNs based solely on the planned dose distribution, i.e. without additional usage of CT images, can approximate MC-based LETddistributions. Root mean squared errors (RMSE) for the median LETdwithin the brain, brainstem, CTV, chiasm, lacrimal glands (ipsilateral/contralateral) and optic nerves (ipsilateral/contralateral) were 0.36, 0.87, 0.31, 0.73, 0.68, 1.04, 0.69 and 1.24 keV µm-1, respectively. Although model predictions showed statistically significant differences from MC outputs, these did not result in substantial changes in NTCP predictions, with RMSEs of at most 3.2 percentage points.Significance.The ability of NNs to predict LETdbased solely on planned dose distributions suggests a viable alternative to compute-intensive MC simulations in a variable-RBE setting. This is particularly useful in scenarios where MC simulation data are unavailable, facilitating resource-constrained proton therapy treatment planning, retrospective patient data analysis and further investigations on the variability of proton RBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Starke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Department of Information Services and Computing, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Aaron Kieslich
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martina Palkowitsch
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Hennings
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Esther G C Troost
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NTC/UCC), Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NTC/UCC), Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jona Bensberg
- TU Dortmund University, Department of Physics, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christian Hahn
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- TU Dortmund University, Department of Physics, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Feline Heinzelmann
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Bäumer
- TU Dortmund University, Department of Physics, Dortmund, Germany
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Armin Lühr
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- TU Dortmund University, Department of Physics, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Steffen Löck
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NTC/UCC), Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
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Bălan C, Granja C, Mytsin G, Shvidky S, Molokanov A, Marek L, Chiș V, Oancea C. Particle tracking, recognition and LET evaluation of out-of-field proton therapy delivered to a phantom with implants. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:165006. [PMID: 38986478 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad61b8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Objective.This study aims to assess the composition of scattered particles generated in proton therapy for tumors situated proximal to some titanium (Ti) dental implants. The investigation involves decomposing the mixed field and recording Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectra to quantify the influence of metallic dental inserts located behind the tumor.Approach.A therapeutic conformal proton beam was used to deliver the treatment plan to an anthropomorphic head phantom with two types of implants inserted in the target volume (made of Ti and plastic, respectively). The scattered radiation resulted during the irradiation was detected by a hybrid semiconductor pixel detector MiniPIX Timepix3 that was placed distal to the Spread-out Bragg peak. Visualization and field decomposition of stray radiation were generated using algorithms trained in particle recognition based on artificial intelligence neural networks (AI NN). Spectral sensitive aspects of the scattered radiation were collected using two angular positions of the detector relative to the beam direction: 0° and 60°.Results.Using AI NN, 3 classes of particles were identified: protons, electrons & photons, and ions & fast neutrons. Placing a Ti implant in the beam's path resulted in predominantly electrons and photons, contributing 52.2% of the total number of detected particles, whereas for plastic implants, the contribution was 65.4%. Scattered protons comprised 45.5% and 31.9% with and without metal inserts, respectively. The LET spectra were derived for each group of particles identified, with values ranging from 0.01 to 7.5 keVμm-1for Ti implants/plastic implants. The low-LET component was primarily composed of electrons and photons, while the high-LET component corresponded to protons and ions.Significance.This method, complemented by directional maps, holds the potential for evaluating and validating treatment plans involving stray radiation near organs at risk, offering precise discrimination of the mixed field, and enhancing in this way the LET calculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bălan
- Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Oncology Institute 'Prof. Dr Ion Chiricuta', Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Gennady Mytsin
- International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Sergey Shvidky
- International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | - Alexander Molokanov
- International Intergovernmental Organization Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
| | | | - Vasile Chiș
- Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Paganetti H, Simone CB, Bosch WR, Haas-Kogan D, Kirsch DG, Li H, Liang X, Liu W, Mahajan A, Story MD, Taylor PA, Willers H, Xiao Y, Buchsbaum JC. NRG Oncology White Paper on the Relative Biological Effectiveness in Proton Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024:S0360-3016(24)02974-2. [PMID: 39059509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.2152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
This position paper, led by the NRG Oncology Particle Therapy Work Group, focuses on the concept of relative biologic effect (RBE) in clinical proton therapy (PT), with the goal of providing recommendations for the next-generation clinical trials with PT on the best practice of investigating and using RBE, which could deviate from the current standard proton RBE value of 1.1 relative to photons. In part 1, current clinical utilization and practice are reviewed, giving the context and history of RBE. Evidence for variation in RBE is presented along with the concept of linear energy transfer (LET). The intertwined nature of tumor radiobiology, normal tissue constraints, and treatment planning with LET and RBE considerations is then reviewed. Part 2 summarizes current and past clinical data and then suggests the next steps to explore and employ tools for improved dynamic models for RBE. In part 3, approaches and methods for the next generation of prospective clinical trials are explored, with the goal of optimizing RBE to be both more reflective of clinical reality and also deployable in trials to allow clinical validation and interpatient comparisons. These concepts provide the foundation for personalized biologic treatments reviewed in part 4. Finally, we conclude with a summary including short- and long-term scientific focus points for clinical PT. The practicalities and capacity to use RBE in treatment planning are reviewed and considered with more biological data in hand. The intermediate step of LET optimization is summarized and proposed as a potential bridge to the ultimate goal of case-specific RBE planning that can be achieved as a hypothesis-generating tool in near-term proton trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Charles B Simone
- New York Proton Center, New York, New York; Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Walter R Bosch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Daphne Haas-Kogan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David G Kirsch
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Anita Mahajan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Michael D Story
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Henning Willers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey C Buchsbaum
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Harrison N, Kang M, Liu R, Charyyev S, Wahl N, Liu W, Zhou J, Higgins KA, Simone CB, Bradley JD, Dynan WS, Lin L. A Novel Inverse Algorithm To Solve the Integrated Optimization of Dose, Dose Rate, and Linear Energy Transfer of Proton FLASH Therapy With Sparse Filters. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:957-967. [PMID: 38104869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.11.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The recently proposed Integrated Physical Optimization Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IPO-IMPT) framework allows simultaneous optimization of dose, dose rate, and linear energy transfer (LET) for ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) treatment planning. Finding solutions to IPO-IMPT is difficult because of computational intensiveness. Nevertheless, an inverse solution that simultaneously specifies the geometry of a sparse filter and weights of a proton intensity map is desirable for both clinical and preclinical applications. Such solutions can reduce effective biologic dose to organs at risk in patients with cancer as well as reduce the number of animal irradiations needed to derive extra biologic dose models in preclinical studies. METHODS AND MATERIALS Unlike the initial forward heuristic, this inverse IPO-IMPT solution includes simultaneous optimization of sparse range compensation, sparse range modulation, and spot intensity. The daunting computational tasks vital to this endeavor were resolved iteratively with a distributed computing framework to enable Simultaneous Intensity and Energy Modulation and Compensation (SIEMAC). SIEMAC was demonstrated on a human patient with central lung cancer and a minipig. RESULTS SIEMAC simultaneously improves maps of spot intensities and patient-field-specific sparse range compensators and range modulators. For the patient with lung cancer, at our maximum nozzle current of 300 nA, dose rate coverage above 100 Gy/s increased from 57% to 96% in the lung and from 93% to 100% in the heart, and LET coverage above 4 keV/µm dropped from 68% to 9% in the lung and from 26% to <1% in the heart. For a simple minipig plan, the full-width half-maximum of the dose, dose rate, and LET distributions decreased by 30%, 1.6%, and 57%, respectively, again with similar target dose coverage, thus reducing uncertainty in these quantities for preclinical studies. CONCLUSIONS The inverse solution to IPO-IMPT demonstrated the capability to simultaneously modulate subspot proton energy and intensity distributions for clinical and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ruirui Liu
- Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | - Niklas Wahl
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wei Liu
- Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Jun Zhou
- Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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7
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Lillo S, Mirandola A, Vai A, Camarda AM, Ronchi S, Bonora M, Ingargiola R, Vischioni B, Orlandi E. Current Status and Future Directions of Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2085. [PMID: 38893203 PMCID: PMC11171191 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing interest in proton therapy (PT) in recent decades is justified by the evidence that protons dose distribution allows maximal dose release at the tumor depth followed by sharp distal dose fall-off. But, in the holistic management of head and neck cancer (HNC), limiting the potential of PT to a mere dosimetric advantage appears reductive. Indeed, the precise targeting of PT may help evaluate the effectiveness of de-escalation strategies, especially for patients with human papillomavirus associated-oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Furthermore, PT could have potentially greater immunogenic effects than conventional photon therapy, possibly enhancing both the radiotherapy (RT) capability to activate anti-tumor immune response and the effectiveness of immunotherapy drugs. Based on these premises, the aim of the present paper is to conduct a narrative review reporting the safety and efficacy of PT compared to photon RT focusing on NPC and OPC. We also provide a snapshot of ongoing clinical trials comparing PT with photon RT for these two clinical scenarios. Finally, we discuss new insights that may further develop clinical research on PT for HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Lillo
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
| | - Alfredo Mirandola
- Medical Physics Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Alessandro Vai
- Medical Physics Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Anna Maria Camarda
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
| | - Sara Ronchi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
| | - Maria Bonora
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
| | - Rossana Ingargiola
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
| | - Barbara Vischioni
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
| | - Ester Orlandi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.M.C.); (S.R.); (M.B.); (R.I.); (B.V.); (E.O.)
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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8
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Holtzman AL, Mohammadi H, Furutani KM, Koffler DM, McGee LA, Lester SC, Gamez ME, Routman DM, Beltran CJ, Liang X. Impact of Relative Biologic Effectiveness for Proton Therapy for Head and Neck and Skull-Base Tumors: A Technical and Clinical Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1947. [PMID: 38893068 PMCID: PMC11171304 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16111947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Proton therapy has emerged as a crucial tool in the treatment of head and neck and skull-base cancers, offering advantages over photon therapy in terms of decreasing integral dose and reducing acute and late toxicities, such as dysgeusia, feeding tube dependence, xerostomia, secondary malignancies, and neurocognitive dysfunction. Despite its benefits in dose distribution and biological effectiveness, the application of proton therapy is challenged by uncertainties in its relative biological effectiveness (RBE). Overcoming the challenges related to RBE is key to fully realizing proton therapy's potential, which extends beyond its physical dosimetric properties when compared with photon-based therapies. In this paper, we discuss the clinical significance of RBE within treatment volumes and adjacent serial organs at risk in the management of head and neck and skull-base tumors. We review proton RBE uncertainties and its modeling and explore clinical outcomes. Additionally, we highlight technological advancements and innovations in plan optimization and treatment delivery, including linear energy transfer/RBE optimizations and the development of spot-scanning proton arc therapy. These advancements show promise in harnessing the full capabilities of proton therapy from an academic standpoint, further technological innovations and clinical outcome studies, however, are needed for their integration into routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L. Holtzman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Homan Mohammadi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Keith M. Furutani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Daniel M. Koffler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Lisa A. McGee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Scott C. Lester
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Mauricio E. Gamez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - David M. Routman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Chris J. Beltran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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9
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Matias F, Silva TF, Koval NE, Pereira JJN, Antunes PCG, Siqueira PTD, Tabacniks MH, Yoriyaz H, Shorto JMB, Grande PL. Efficient computational modeling of electronic stopping power of organic polymers for proton therapy optimization. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9868. [PMID: 38684890 PMCID: PMC11058815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60651-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive study delves into the intricate interplay between protons and organic polymers, offering insights into proton therapy in cancer treatment. Focusing on the influence of the spatial electron density distribution on stopping power estimates, we employed real-time time-dependent density functional theory coupled with the Penn method. Surprisingly, the assumption of electron density homogeneity in polymers is fundamentally flawed, resulting in an overestimation of stopping power values at energies below 2 MeV. Moreover, the Bragg rule application in specific compounds exhibited significant deviations from experimental data around the stopping maximum, challenging established norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Matias
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - T F Silva
- Instituto de Física da Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. R187, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - N E Koval
- Centro de Física de Materiales, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - J J N Pereira
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - P C G Antunes
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - P T D Siqueira
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - M H Tabacniks
- Instituto de Física da Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. R187, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - H Yoriyaz
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - J M B Shorto
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - P L Grande
- Instituto de Física da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, 9500, Brazil
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10
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Daartz J, Madden TM, Lalonde A, Cascio E, Verburg J, Shih H, MacDonald S, Hachadorian R, Schuemann J. Voxel-wise dose rate calculation in clinical pencil beam scanning proton therapy. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:065003. [PMID: 38324902 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad2713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Objective. Clinical outcomes after proton therapy have shown some variability that is not fully understood. Different approaches have been suggested to explain the biological outcome, but none has yet provided a comprehensive and satisfactory rationale for observed toxicities. The relatively recent transition from passive scattering (PS) to pencil beam scanning (PBS) treatments has significantly increased the voxel-wise dose rate in proton therapy. In addition, the dose rate distribution is no longer uniform along the cross section of the target but rather highly heterogeneous, following the spot placement. We suggest investigating dose rate as potential contributor to a more complex proton RBE model.Approach. Due to the time structure of the PBS beam delivery the instantaneous dose rate is highly variable voxel by voxel. Several possible parameters to represent voxel-wise dose rate for a given clinical PBS treatment plan are detailed. These quantities were implemented in the scripting environment of our treatment planning system, and computations experimentally verified. Sample applications to treated patient plans are shown.Main results. Computed dose rates we experimentally confirmed. Dose rate maps vary depending on which method is used to represent them. Mainly, the underlying time and dose intervals chosen determine the topography of the resultant distributions. The maximum dose rates experienced by any target voxel in a given PBS treatment plan in our system range from ∼100 to ∼450 Gy(RBE)/min, a factor of 10-100 increase compared to PS. These dose rate distributions are very heterogeneous, with distinct hot spots.Significance. Voxel-wise dose rates for current clinical PBS treatment plans vary greatly from clinically established practice with PS. The exploration of different dose rate measures to evaluate potential correlations with observed clinical outcomes is suggested, potentially adding a missing component in the understanding of proton relative biological effectiveness (RBE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Daartz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Thomas M Madden
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Arthur Lalonde
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Ethan Cascio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Joost Verburg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Helen Shih
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Shannon MacDonald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Rachael Hachadorian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jan Schuemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
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11
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Vieceli M, Park J, Hsi WC, Saki M, Mendenhall NP, Johnson P, Artz M. Potential Therapeutic Improvements in Prostate Cancer Treatment Using Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy with LET d Optimization and Disease-Specific RBE Models. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:780. [PMID: 38398171 PMCID: PMC10886728 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the feasibility of improving prostate cancer patient outcomes with PBS proton LETd optimization. METHODS SFO, IPT-SIB, and LET-optimized plans were created for 12 patients, and generalized-tissue and disease-specific LET-dependent RBE models were applied. The mean LETd in several structures was determined and used to calculate mean RBEs. LETd- and dose-volume histograms (LVHs/DVHs) are shown. TODRs were defined based on clinical dose goals and compared between plans. The impact of robust perturbations on LETd, TODRs, and DVH spread was evaluated. RESULTS LETd optimization achieved statistically significant increased target volume LETd of ~4 keV/µm compared to SFO and IPT-SIB LETd of ~2 keV/µm while mitigating OAR LETd increases. A disease-specific RBE model predicted target volume RBEs > 1.5 for LET-optimized plans, up to 18% higher than for SFO plans. LET-optimized target LVHs/DVHs showed a large increase not present in OARs. All RBE models showed a statistically significant increase in TODRs from SFO to IPT-SIB to LET-optimized plans. RBE = 1.1 does not accurately represent TODRs when using LETd optimization. Robust evaluations demonstrated a trade-off between increased mean target LETd and decreased DVH spread. CONCLUSION The demonstration of improved TODRs provided via LETd optimization shows potential for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Vieceli
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Medical Physics Graduate Program, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jiyeon Park
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Wen Chien Hsi
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mo Saki
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nancy P Mendenhall
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Perry Johnson
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mark Artz
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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12
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Bobić M, Christensen JB, Lee H, Choulilitsa E, Czerska K, Togno M, Safai S, Yukihara EG, Winey BA, Lomax AJ, Paganetti H, Albertini F, Nesteruk KP. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters for simultaneous measurement of point dose and dose-weighted LET in an adaptive proton therapy workflow. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1333039. [PMID: 38510267 PMCID: PMC10951997 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1333039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To demonstrate the suitability of optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLDs) for accurate simultaneous measurement of the absolute point dose and dose-weighted linear energy transfer (LETD) in an anthropomorphic phantom for experimental validation of daily adaptive proton therapy. Methods A clinically realistic intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment plan was created based on a CT of an anthropomorphic head-and-neck phantom made of tissue-equivalent material. The IMPT plan was optimized with three fields to deliver a uniform dose to the target volume covering the OSLDs. Different scenarios representing inter-fractional anatomical changes were created by modifying the phantom. An online adaptive proton therapy workflow was used to recover the daily dose distribution and account for the applied geometry changes. To validate the adaptive workflow, measurements were performed by irradiating Al2O3:C OSLDs inside the phantom. In addition to the measurements, retrospective Monte Carlo simulations were performed to compare the absolute dose and dose-averaged LET (LETD) delivered to the OSLDs. Results The online adaptive proton therapy workflow was shown to recover significant degradation in dose conformity resulting from large anatomical and positioning deviations from the reference plan. The Monte Carlo simulations were in close agreement with the OSLD measurements, with an average relative error of 1.4% for doses and 3.2% for LETD. The use of OSLDs for LET determination allowed for a correction for the ionization quenched response. Conclusion The OSLDs appear to be an excellent detector for simultaneously assessing dose and LET distributions in proton irradiation of an anthropomorphic phantom. The OSLDs can be cut to almost any size and shape, making them ideal for in-phantom measurements to probe the radiation quality and dose in a predefined region of interest. Although we have presented the results obtained in the experimental validation of an adaptive proton therapy workflow, the same approach can be generalized and used for a variety of clinical innovations and workflow developments that require accurate assessment of point dose and/or average LET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mislav Bobić
- Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Hoyeon Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Evangelia Choulilitsa
- Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Brian A. Winey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Antony J. Lomax
- Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Konrad P. Nesteruk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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13
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Kneepkens E, Wolfs C, Wanders RG, Traneus E, Eekers D, Verhaegen F. Shoot-through proton FLASH irradiation lowers linear energy transfer in organs at risk for neurological tumors and is robust against density variations. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68:215020. [PMID: 37820687 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Objective. The goal of the study was to test the hypothesis that shoot-through FLASH proton beams would lead to lower dose-averaged LET (LETD) values in critical organs, while providing at least equal normal tissue sparing as clinical proton therapy plans.Approach. For five neurological tumor patients, pencil beam scanning (PBS) shoot-through plans were made, using the maximum energy of 227 MeV and assuming a hypothetical FLASH protective factor (FPF) of 1.5. The effect of different FPF ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 on the clinical goals were also considered. LETDwas calculated for the clinical plan and the shoot-through plan, applying a 2 Gy total dose threshold (RayStation 8 A/9B and 9A-IonRPG). Robust evaluation was performed considering density uncertainty (±3% throughout entire volume).Main results.Clinical plans showed large LETDvariations compared to shoot-through plans and the maximum LETDin OAR is 1.2-8 times lower for the latter. Although less conformal, shoot-through plans met the same clinical goals as the clinical plans, for FLASH protection factors above 1.4. The FLASH shoot-through plans were more robust to density uncertainties with a maximum OAR D2%increase of 0.6 Gy versus 5.7 Gy in the clinical plans.Significance.Shoot-through proton FLASH beams avoid uncertainties in LETDdistributions and proton range, provide adequate target coverage, meet planning constraints and are robust to density variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Kneepkens
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Cecile Wolfs
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel-Germ Wanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Traneus
- RaySearch Laboratories AB, SE-103 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Danielle Eekers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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14
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Handeland AH, Lægdsmand PM, Toussaint L, Stokkevåg CH, Lassen-Ramshad YA, Klitgaard R, Henjum H, Ytre-Hauge KS, Indelicato DJ, Tjelta J, Lyngholm E, Muren LP. Linear energy transfer-inclusive brainstem necrosis risk models applied to an independent paediatric proton therapy cohort. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:1536-1540. [PMID: 37676670 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2254476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas H Handeland
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Mt Lægdsmand
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Toussaint
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Camilla H Stokkevåg
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Rasmus Klitgaard
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Helge Henjum
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Daniel J Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Johannes Tjelta
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erlend Lyngholm
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ludvig P Muren
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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15
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Sosa AJ, Thames HD, Sanders JW, Choi SL, Nguyen QN, Mok H, Ron Zhu X, Shah S, Mayo LL, Hoffman KE, Tang C, Lee AK, Pugh TJ, Kudchadker R, Frank SJ. Proton therapy for the management of localized prostate cancer: Long-term clinical outcomes at a comprehensive cancer center. Radiother Oncol 2023; 188:109854. [PMID: 37597805 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Proton therapy (PT) has emerged as a standard-of-care treatment option for localized prostate cancer at our comprehensive cancer center. However, there are few large-scale analyses examining the long-term clinical outcomes. Therefore, this article aims to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and toxicity of PT in patients with localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Review of 2772 patients treated from May 2006 through January 2020. Disease risk was stratified according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines as low [LR, n = 640]; favorable-intermediate [F-IR, n = 850]; unfavorable-intermediate [U-IR, n = 851]; high [HR, n = 315]; or very high [VHR, n = 116]. Biochemical failure and toxicity were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariate models. RESULTS The median patient age was 66 years; the median follow-up time was 7.0 years. Pelvic lymph node irradiation was prescribed to 28 patients (1%) (2 [0.2%] U-IR, 11 [3.5%] HR, and 15 [12.9%] VHR). The median dose was 78 Gy in 1.8-2.0 Gy(RBE) fractions. Freedom from biochemical relapse (FFBR) rates at 5 years and 10 years were 98.2% and 96.8% for the LR group; 98.3% and 93.6%, F-IR; 94.2% and 90.2%, U-IR; 94.3% and 85.2%, HR; and 86.1% and 68.5%, VHR. Two patients died of prostate cancer. Overall rates of late grade ≥ 3 GU and GI toxicity were 0.87% and 1.01%. CONCLUSIONS Proton therapy for localized prostate cancer demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes in this large cohort, even among higher-risk groups with historically poor outcomes despite aggressive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Sosa
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Howard D Thames
- Departments of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeremiah W Sanders
- Departments of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Seungtaek L Choi
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Quynh-Nhu Nguyen
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Henry Mok
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - X Ron Zhu
- Departments of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shalin Shah
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lauren L Mayo
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen E Hoffman
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chad Tang
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew K Lee
- Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Irving, TX, USA
| | | | - Reena Kudchadker
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Frank
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Pardo-Montero J, Pombar M, Gómez-Caamaño A, Giordanengo S, González-Crespo I. Variation of the relative biological effectiveness with fractionation in proton therapy: Analysis of prostate cancer response. Med Phys 2023; 50:7304-7312. [PMID: 37818904 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In treatment planning for proton therapy a constant Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1 is used, disregarding variations with linear energy transfer, clinical endpoint, or fractionation. PURPOSE To present a methodology to analyze the variation of RBE with fractionation from clinical data of tumor control probability (TCP) and to apply it to study the response of prostate cancer to proton therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS We analyzed the dependence of the RBE on the dose per fraction by using the LQ model and the Poisson TCP formalism. Clinical tumor control probabilities for prostate cancer (low and intermediate risk) treated with photon and proton therapy for conventional fractionation (2 Gy(RBE)×37 fractions), moderate hypofractionation (3 Gy(RBE)×20 fractions) and hypofractionation (7.25 Gy(RBE)×5 fractions) were obtained from the literature and analyzed aiming at obtaining the RBE and its dependence on the dose per fraction. RESULTS The theoretical analysis of the dependence of the RBE on the dose per fraction showed three distinct regions with RBE monotonically decreasing, increasing or staying constant with the dose per fraction, depending on the change of (α, β) values between photon and proton irradiation (the equilibrium point being at (αp /βp ) = (αX /βX )(αX /αp )). An analysis of the clinical data showed RBE values that decline with increasing dose per fraction: for low risk RBE≈1.124, 1.119, and 1.102 for 1.82 Gy, 2.73 Gy and 6.59 Gy per fraction (physical proton doses), respectively; for intermediate risk RBE≈1.119 and 1.102 for 1.82 Gy and 6.59 Gy per fraction (physical proton doses), respectively. These values are nonetheless very close to the nominal 1.1 value. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we have presented a methodology to analyze the RBE for different fractionations, and we used it to study clinical data for prostate cancer and evaluate the RBE versus dose per fraction. The analysis shows a monotonically decreasing RBE with increasing dose per fraction, which is expected from the LQ formalism and the changes in (α, β) values between photon and proton irradiation. However, the calculations in this study have to be considered with care as they may be biased by limitations in the modeling assumptions and/or by the clinical data set used for the analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pardo-Montero
- Group of Medical Physics and Biomathematics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Medical Physics, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel Pombar
- Department of Medical Physics, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antonio Gómez-Caamaño
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Isabel González-Crespo
- Group of Medical Physics and Biomathematics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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17
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McIntyre M, Wilson P, Gorayski P, Bezak E. A Systematic Review of LET-Guided Treatment Plan Optimisation in Proton Therapy: Identifying the Current State and Future Needs. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4268. [PMID: 37686544 PMCID: PMC10486456 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The well-known clinical benefits of proton therapy are achieved through higher target-conformality and normal tissue sparing than conventional radiotherapy. However, there is an increased sensitivity to uncertainties in patient motion/setup, proton range and radiobiological effect. Although recent efforts have mitigated some uncertainties, radiobiological effect remains unresolved due to a lack of clinical data for relevant endpoints. Therefore, RBE optimisations may be currently unsuitable for clinical treatment planning. LET optimisation is a novel method that substitutes RBE with LET, shifting LET hotspots outside critical structures. This review outlines the current status of LET optimisation in proton therapy, highlighting knowledge gaps and possible future research. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a search of the MEDLINE® and Scopus databases was performed in July 2023, identifying 70 relevant articles. Generally, LET optimisation methods achieved their treatment objectives; however, clinical benefit is patient-dependent. Inconsistencies in the reported data suggest further testing is required to identify therapeutically favourable methods. We discuss the methods which are suitable for near-future clinical deployment, with fast computation times and compatibility with existing treatment protocols. Although there is some clinical evidence of a correlation between high LET and adverse effects, further developments are needed to inform future patient selection protocols for widespread application of LET optimisation in proton therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa McIntyre
- Allied Health & Human Performance Academic Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Puthenparampil Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Peter Gorayski
- Allied Health & Human Performance Academic Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Eva Bezak
- Allied Health & Human Performance Academic Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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18
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Liang X, Beltran CJ, Liu C, Shen J, Li H, Furutani KM. Technical note: Delivery benefit and dosimetric implication of synchrotron-based proton pencil beam scanning using continuous scanning mode. Med Phys 2023; 50:5252-5261. [PMID: 37115647 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discrete spot scanning (DSS) is the commonly used method for proton pencil beam scanning (PBS). There is lack of data on the dose-driven continuous scanning (DDCS). PURPOSE To investigate delivery benefits and dosimetric implications of DDCS versus DSS for PBS systems. METHODS The irradiation duty factor, beam delivery time (BDT), and dose deviation were simulated for eight treatment plans in prostate, head and neck, liver, and lung, with both conventional fractionation and hypofractionation schemes. DDCS results were compared with those of DSS. RESULTS The DDCS irradiation duty factor (range, 11%-41%) was appreciably improved compared to DSS delivery (range, 4%-14%), within which, hypofractionation schemes had greater improvement than conventional fractionation. With decreasing stop ratio constraints, the DDCS BDT reduction was greater, but dose deviation also increased. With stop ratio constraints of 2, 1, 0.5, and 0, DDCS BDT reduction reached to 6%, 10%, 12%, and 15%, respectively, and dose deviation reached to 0.6%, 1.7%, 3.0%, and 5.2% root mean square error in PTV DVH, respectively. The 3%/2-mm gamma passing rate was greater than 99% with stop ratio constraints of 2 and 1, and greater than 95% with a stop ratio of 0.5. When the stop ratio constraint was removed, five of the eight treatment plans had a 3%/2-mm gamma passing rate greater than 95%, and the other three plans had a 3%/2-mm gamma passing rate between 90% and 95%. CONCLUSIONS The irradiation duty factor was considerably improved with DDCS. Smaller stop ratio constraints led to shorter BDTs, but with the cost of larger dose deviations. Our finding suggested that a stop ratio of 1 constraint seems to yield acceptable DDCS dose deviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Chris J Beltran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Chunbo Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiajian Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Keith M Furutani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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19
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Variable Relative Biological Effectiveness of Proton Therapy Increases PET-Visible Mucosal Injury in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 115:861-865. [PMID: 36368433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Vaniqui A, Vaassen F, Di Perri D, Eekers D, Compter I, Rinaldi I, van Elmpt W, Unipan M. Linear Energy Transfer and Relative Biological Effectiveness Investigation of Various Structures for a Cohort of Proton Patients With Brain Tumors. Adv Radiat Oncol 2023; 8:101128. [PMID: 36632089 PMCID: PMC9827037 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2022.101128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The current knowledge on biological effects associated with proton therapy is limited. Therefore, we investigated the distributions of dose, dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd), and the product between dose and LETd (DLETd) for a patient cohort treated with proton therapy. Different treatment planning system features and visualization tools were explored. Methods and Materials For a cohort of 24 patients with brain tumors, the LETd, DLETd, and dose was calculated for a fixed relative biological effectiveness value and 2 variable models: plan-based and phenomenological. Dose threshold levels of 0, 5, and 20 Gy were imposed for LETd visualization. The relationship between physical dose and LETd and the frequency of LETd hotspots were investigated. Results The phenomenological relative biological effectiveness model presented consistently higher dose values. For lower dose thresholds, the LETd distribution was steered toward higher values related to low treatment doses. Differences up to 26.0% were found according to the threshold. Maximum LETd values were identified in the brain, periventricular space, and ventricles. An inverse relationship between LETd and dose was observed. Frequency information to the domain of dose and LETd allowed for the identification of clusters, which steer the mean LETd values, and the identification of higher, but sparse, LETd values. Conclusions Identifying, quantifying, and recording LET distributions in a standardized fashion is necessary, because concern exists over a link between toxicity and LET hotspots. Visualizing DLETd or dose × LETd during treatment planning could allow for clinicians to make informed decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vaniqui
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Vaassen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dario Di Perri
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Eekers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Compter
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ilaria Rinaldi
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter van Elmpt
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mirko Unipan
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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21
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Singh A, Kitpanit S, Neal B, Yorke E, White C, Yom SK, Randazzo JD, Wong RJ, Huryn JM, Tsai CJ, Zakeri K, Lee NY, Estilo CL. Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw Following Proton Radiation Therapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 149:151-159. [PMID: 36547968 PMCID: PMC9912132 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.4165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Importance Proton radiation therapy (PRT) has reduced radiation-induced toxic effects, such as mucositis and xerostomia, over conventional photon radiation therapy, leading to significantly improved quality of life in patients with head and neck cancers. However, the prevalence of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw following PRT in these patients is less clear. Objective To report the prevalence and clinical characteristics of ORN in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OOPC) treated with PRT. Design, Setting, and Participants This case series reports a single-institution experience (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York) between November 2013 and September 2019 and included 122 radiation therapy-naive patients with OOPC treated with PRT. Data were analyzed from 2013 to 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical parameters, including sex, age, comorbidities, tumor histology, concurrent chemotherapy, smoking, comorbidities, and preradiation dental evaluation, were obtained from the medical record. Patients with clinical or radiographic signs of ORN were identified and graded using the adopted modified Glanzmann and Grätz grading system. Characteristics of ORN, such as location, clinical presentation, initial stage at diagnosis, etiology, time to diagnosis, management, and clinical outcome at the last follow-up, were also collected. Results Of the 122 patients (mean [SD] age, 63 [13] years; 45 [36.9%] women and 77 [63.1%] men) included in this study, 13 (10.6%) developed ORN following PRT during a median (range) follow-up time of 40.6 (<1-101) months. All patients had spontaneous development of ORN. At the time of initial diagnosis, grade 0, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 ORN were seen in 2, 1, 9, and 1 patient, respectively. The posterior ipsilateral mandible within the radiation field that received the full planned PRT dose was the most involved ORN site. At a median (range) follow-up of 13.5 (0.2-58.0) months from the time of ORN diagnosis, complete resolution, stable condition, and progression of ORN were seen in 3, 6, and 4 patients, respectively. The 3-year rates of ORN and death in the total cohort were 5.2% and 21.5%, while the 5-year rates of ORN and death were 11.5% and 34.4%, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance In this case series, the prevalence of ORN following PRT was found to be 10.6%, indicating that ORN remains a clinical challenge even in the era of highly conformal PRT. Clinicians treating patients with OOPC with PRT should be mindful of this complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annu Singh
- Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sarin Kitpanit
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Pathumwan, Bangkok
| | - Brian Neal
- ProCure Proton Therapy Center, Somerset, New Jersey
| | - Ellen Yorke
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Charlie White
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - SaeHee K. Yom
- Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Joseph D. Randazzo
- Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Richard J. Wong
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Joseph M. Huryn
- Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Dental Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Chiaojung Jillian Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kaveh Zakeri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nancy Y. Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Cherry L. Estilo
- Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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22
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Chen M, Cao W, Yepes P, Guan F, Poenisch F, Xu C, Chen J, Li Y, Vazquez I, Yang M, Zhu XR, Zhang X. Impact of dose calculation accuracy on inverse linear energy transfer optimization for intensity‐modulated proton therapy. PRECISION RADIATION ONCOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pro6.1179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Wenhua Cao
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Pablo Yepes
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
- Physics and Astronomy Department Rice University Houston Texas USA
| | - Fada Guan
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Falk Poenisch
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Cheng Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Jiayi Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Yupeng Li
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Ivan Vazquez
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - X. Ronald Zhu
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA
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23
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Hahn C, Heuchel L, Ödén J, Traneus E, Wulff J, Plaude S, Timmermann B, Bäumer C, Lühr A. Comparing biological effectiveness guided plan optimization strategies for cranial proton therapy: potential and challenges. Radiat Oncol 2022; 17:169. [PMID: 36273132 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-022-02143-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To introduce and compare multiple biological effectiveness guided (BG) proton plan optimization strategies minimizing variable relative biological effectiveness (RBE) induced dose burden in organs at risk (OAR) while maintaining plan quality with a constant RBE. METHODS Dose-optimized (DOSEopt) proton pencil beam scanning reference treatment plans were generated for ten cranial patients with prescription doses ≥ 54 Gy(RBE) and ≥ 1 OAR close to the clinical target volume (CTV). For each patient, four additional BG plans were created. BG objectives minimized either proton track-ends, dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd), energy depositions from high-LET protons or variable RBE-weighted dose (DRBE) in adjacent serially structured OARs. Plan quality (RBE = 1.1) was assessed by CTV dose coverage and robustness (2 mm setup, 3.5% density), dose homogeneity and conformity in the planning target volumes and adherence to OAR tolerance doses. LETd, DRBE (Wedenberg model, α/βCTV = 10 Gy, α/βOAR = 2 Gy) and resulting normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs) for blindness and brainstem necrosis were derived. Differences between DOSEopt and BG optimized plans were assessed and statistically tested (Wilcoxon signed rank, α = 0.05). RESULTS All plans were clinically acceptable. DOSEopt and BG optimized plans were comparable in target volume coverage, homogeneity and conformity. For recalculated DRBE in all patients, all BG plans significantly reduced near-maximum DRBE to critical OARs with differences up to 8.2 Gy(RBE) (p < 0.05). Direct DRBE optimization primarily reduced absorbed dose in OARs (average ΔDmean = 2.0 Gy; average ΔLETd,mean = 0.1 keV/µm), while the other strategies reduced LETd (average ΔDmean < 0.3 Gy; average ΔLETd,mean = 0.5 keV/µm). LET-optimizing strategies were more robust against range and setup uncertaintes for high-dose CTVs than DRBE optimization. All BG strategies reduced NTCP for brainstem necrosis and blindness on average by 47% with average and maximum reductions of 5.4 and 18.4 percentage points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS All BG strategies reduced variable RBE-induced NTCPs to OARs. Reducing LETd in high-dose voxels may be favourable due to its adherence to current dose reporting and maintenance of clinical plan quality and the availability of reported LETd and dose levels from clinical toxicity reports after cranial proton therapy. These optimization strategies beyond dose may be a first step towards safely translating variable RBE optimization in the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hahn
- Department of Physics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany. .,OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany. .,Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Lena Heuchel
- Department of Physics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jakob Ödén
- RaySearch Laboratories AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Jörg Wulff
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, Essen, Germany.,West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandija Plaude
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, Essen, Germany.,West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, Essen, Germany.,West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Bäumer
- Department of Physics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany.,West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, Essen, Germany.,West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin Lühr
- Department of Physics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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24
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Faught AM, Wilson LJ, Gargone M, Pirlepesov F, Moskvin VP, Hua C. Treatment-planning approaches to intensity modulated proton therapy and the impact on dose-weighted linear energy transfer. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 24:e13782. [PMID: 36161765 PMCID: PMC9859995 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We quantified the effect of various forward-based treatment-planning strategies in proton therapy on dose-weighted linear energy transfer (LETd). By maintaining the dosimetric quality at a clinically acceptable level, we aimed to evaluate the differences in LETd among various treatment-planning approaches and their practicality in minimizing biologic uncertainties associated with LETd. METHOD Eight treatment-planning strategies that are achievable in commercial treatment-planning systems were applied on a cylindrical water phantom and four pediatric brain tumor cases. Each planning strategy was compared to either an opposed lateral plan (phantom study) or original clinical plan (patient study). Deviations in mean and maximum LETd from clinically acceptable dose distributions were compared. RESULTS In the phantom study, using a range shifter and altering the robust scenarios during optimization had the largest effect on the mean clinical target volume LETd, which was reduced from 4.5 to 3.9 keV/μm in both cases. Variations in the intersection angle between beams had the largest effect on LETd in a ring defined 3 to 5 mm outside the target. When beam intersection angles were reduced from opposed laterals (180°) to 120°, 90°, and 60°, corresponding maximum LETd increased from 7.9 to 8.9, 10.9, and 12.2 keV/μm, respectively. A clear trend in mean and maximum LETd variations in the clinical cases could not be established, though spatial distribution of LETd suggested a strong dependence on patient anatomy and treatment geometry. CONCLUSION Changes in LETd from treatment-plan setup follow intuitive trends in a controlled phantom experiment. Anatomical and other patient-specific considerations, however, can preclude generalizable strategies in clinical cases. For pediatric cranial radiation therapy, we recommend using opposed lateral treatment fields to treat midline targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M. Faught
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Lydia J. Wilson
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Melissa Gargone
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Fakhriddin Pirlepesov
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Vadim P. Moskvin
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Chia‐Ho Hua
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
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25
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Lee H, Shin J, Verburg JM, Bobić M, Winey B, Schuemann J, Paganetti H. MOQUI: an open-source GPU-based Monte Carlo code for proton dose calculation with efficient data structure. Phys Med Biol 2022; 67:10.1088/1361-6560/ac8716. [PMID: 35926482 PMCID: PMC9513828 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac8716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Monte Carlo (MC) codes are increasingly used for accurate radiotherapy dose calculation. In proton therapy, the accuracy of the dose calculation algorithm is expected to have a more significant impact than in photon therapy due to the depth-dose characteristics of proton beams. However, MC simulations come at a considerable computational cost to achieve statistically sufficient accuracy. There have been efforts to improve computational efficiency while maintaining sufficient accuracy. Among those, parallelizing particle transportation using graphic processing units (GPU) achieved significant improvements. Contrary to the central processing unit, a GPU has limited memory capacity and is not expandable. It is therefore challenging to score quantities with large dimensions requiring extensive memory. The objective of this study is to develop an open-source GPU-based MC package capable of scoring those quantities.Approach.We employed a hash-table, one of the key-value pair data structures, to efficiently utilize the limited memory of the GPU and score the quantities requiring a large amount of memory. With the hash table, only voxels interacting with particles will occupy memory, and we can search the data efficiently to determine their address. The hash-table was integrated with a novel GPU-based MC code, moqui.Main results.The developed code was validated against an MC code widely used in proton therapy, TOPAS, with homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms. We also compared the dose calculation results of clinical treatment plans. The developed code agreed with TOPAS within 2%, except for the fall-off and regions, and the gamma pass rates of the results were >99% for all cases with a 2 mm/2% criteria.Significance.We can score dose-influence matrix and dose-rate on a GPU for a 3-field H&N case with 10 GB of memory using moqui, which would require more than 100 GB of memory with the conventionally used array data structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoyeon Lee
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Jungwook Shin
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, United States of America
| | - Joost M Verburg
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Mislav Bobić
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
- Department of Physics, ETH, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Brian Winey
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Jan Schuemann
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Harald Paganetti
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
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26
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Qi Y, Mao L, Lu H, Jin S, Huang J, Wang Z, Zhang J, Wang K. Multi-centric analysis of linear energy transfer distribution from clinical proton beam based on TOPAS. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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27
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Jones B. Risk assessment for proton therapy in the central nervous system by assuming small increments in RBE. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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28
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Fujii Y, Ueda H, Umegaki K, Matsuura T. An initial systematic study of the linear energy transfer distributions of a proton beam under a transverse magnetic field. Med Phys 2022; 49:1839-1852. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.15478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Fujii
- Graduate School of Engineering Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Ibaraki Japan
| | - Hideaki Ueda
- Faculty of Engineering Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Kikuo Umegaki
- Faculty of Engineering Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Proton Beam Therapy Center Hokkaido University Hospital Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Department of Medical Physics Hokkaido University Hospital Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Taeko Matsuura
- Faculty of Engineering Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Proton Beam Therapy Center Hokkaido University Hospital Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Department of Medical Physics Hokkaido University Hospital Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
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29
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A Universal Range Shifter and Range Compensator Can Enable Proton Pencil Beam Scanning Single-Energy Bragg Peak FLASH-RT Treatment Using Current Commercially Available Proton Systems. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022; 113:203-213. [PMID: 35101597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transmission beams have been proposed for ultra-high dose (or FLASH) proton planning, limiting the organ sparing potentials of proton therapy. By pulling back the ranges of the highest energy proton beams and compensating proton ranges to adapt to the target distally, the exit dose of proton beams can be eliminated to better protect organs at risk while still preserving FLASH dose rate delivery. METHOD AND MATERIALS An inverse planning tool was developed to optimize intensity modulated proton therapy using a single-energy layer for FLASH radiation therapy planning. The range pull-backs were calculated to stop single-energy proton beams at the distal edge of the target. The spot map and weights of each field were optimized to achieve a sufficient dose rate using proton beam Bragg peaks. A C-shape target in phantom, along with 6 consecutive lung cancer patients previously treated using proton stereotactic body radiation therapy were planned using this novel Bragg Peak method and also transmission technique. Dosimetry characteristics and 3-dimensional dose rate were investigated. RESULTS The minimum monitor units (MU) for transmission and Bragg peak plans were 400 MU/spot and 1200 MU/spot, respectively, corresponding to spot peak dose rates of 670 GyRBE (relative biological effectiveness) per second and 1950 GyRBE per second. Bragg peak plans yield a generally comparable target uniformity while significantly reducing dose spillage volume from the low to medium dose level. For all the 6 lung cases delivery of 34 GyRBE in 1 fraction, assessing Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0915 constraints, the lung V7GyRBE volume was reduced by up to 32% (P = .001) for Bragg peak plans. The transmission plans tended to generate 2.4% higher FLASH dose rate coverage (V40GyRBE/s) versus Bragg peak plans over the major organs at risk. However, Bragg peak plans could also reach the FLASH radiation therapy threshold of V40GyRBE/s using a higher MU/spot and sophisticated dose-rate optimization algorithm. CONCLUSIONS This first proof-of-concept study has demonstrated this novel method of combining range pull-back and powerful inverse optimization capable of achieving FLASH dose rate based on currently available machine parameters using a single-energy Bragg peak. Similar target coverage and uniformity can be maintained by Bragg peak FLASH plans while substantially improving the sparing of organs at risk compared with transmission plans.
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30
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Paganetti H. Mechanisms and Review of Clinical Evidence of Variations in Relative Biological Effectiveness in Proton Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2022; 112:222-236. [PMID: 34407443 PMCID: PMC8688199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Proton therapy is increasingly being used as a radiation therapy modality. There is uncertainty about the biological effectiveness of protons relative to photon therapies as it depends on several physical and biological parameters. Radiation oncology currently applies a constant and generic value for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1, which was chosen conservatively to ensure tumor coverage. The use of a constant value has been challenged particularly when considering normal tissue constraints. Potential variations in RBE have been assessed in several published reviews but have mostly focused on data from clonogenic cell survival experiments with unclear relevance for clinical proton therapy. The goal of this review is to put in vitro findings in relation to clinical observations. Relevant in vivo pathways determining RBE for tumors and normal tissues are outlined, including not only damage to tumor cells and parenchyma but also vascular damage and immune response. Furthermore, the current clinical evidence of varying RBE is reviewed. The assessment can serve as guidance for treatment planning, personalized dose prescriptions, and outcome analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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31
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Smith EAK, Winterhalter C, Underwood TSA, Aitkenhead AH, Richardson JC, Merchant MJ, Kirkby NF, Kirby KJ, Mackay RI. A Monte Carlo study of different LET definitions and calculation parameters for proton beam therapy. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2021; 8. [PMID: 34874308 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ac3f50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The strongin vitroevidence that proton Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) varies with Linear Energy Transfer (LET) has led to an interest in applying LET within treatment planning. However, there is a lack of consensus on LET definition, Monte Carlo (MC) parameters or clinical methodology. This work aims to investigate how common variations of LET definition may affect potential clinical applications. MC simulations (GATE/GEANT4) were used to calculate absorbed dose and different types of LET for a simple Spread Out Bragg Peak (SOBP) and for four clinical PBT plans covering a range of tumour sites. Variations in the following LET calculation methods were considered: (i) averaging (dose-averaged LET (LETd) & track-averaged LET); (ii) scoring (LETdto water, to medium and to mass density); (iii) particle inclusion (LETdto all protons, to primary protons and to particles); (iv) MC settings (hit type and Maximum Step Size (MSS)). LET distributions were compared using: qualitative comparison, LET Volume Histograms (LVHs), single value criteria (maximum and mean values) and optimised LET-weighted dose models. Substantial differences were found between LET values in averaging, scoring and particle type. These differences depended on the methodology, but for one patient a difference of ∼100% was observed between the maximum LETdfor all particles and maximum LETdfor all protons within the brainstem in the high isodose region (4 keVμm-1and 8 keVμm-1respectively). An RBE model using LETdincluding heavier ions was found to predict substantially different LET-weighted dose compared to those using other LET definitions. In conclusion, the selection of LET definition may affect the results of clinical metrics considered in treatment planning and the results of an RBE model. The authors' advocate for the scoring of dose-averaged LET to water for primary and secondary protons using a random hit type and automated MSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward A K Smith
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Carla Winterhalter
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tracy S A Underwood
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adam H Aitkenhead
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny C Richardson
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Merchant
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Norman F Kirkby
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Karen J Kirby
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ranald I Mackay
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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32
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Rucinski A, Biernacka A, Schulte R. Applications of nanodosimetry in particle therapy planning and beyond. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66. [PMID: 34731854 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac35f1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This topical review summarizes underlying concepts of nanodosimetry. It describes the development and current status of nanodosimetric detector technology. It also gives an overview of Monte Carlo track structure simulations that can provide nanodosimetric parameters for treatment planning of proton and ion therapy. Classical and modern radiobiological assays that can be used to demonstrate the relationship between the frequency and complexity of DNA lesion clusters and nanodosimetric parameters are reviewed. At the end of the review, existing approaches of treatment planning based on relative biological effectiveness (RBE) models or dose-averaged linear energy transfer are contrasted with an RBE-independent approach based on nandosimetric parameters. Beyond treatment planning, nanodosimetry is also expected to have applications and give new insights into radiation protection dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Biernacka
- University of Gdansk, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
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33
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Pedersen J, Liang X, Bryant C, Mendenhall N, Li Z, Muren LP. Normal tissue complication probability models for prospectively scored late rectal and urinary morbidity after proton therapy of prostate cancer. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2021; 20:62-68. [PMID: 34805558 PMCID: PMC8590075 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Photons and protons have fundamentally different properties, i.e. protons have a reduced dose bath but a higher relative biological effectiveness. Photon-based normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models may therefore not immediately be applicable to proton therapy (PT). The aim was to derive parameters of the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) NTCP model using prospectively recorded late morbidity data from PT, focusing on rectal morbidity and prostate cancer. Materials and methods Prospectively collected data were available for 1151 prostate cancer patients treated with passive scattering PT and prescribed target doses of 78–82 Gy (RBE = 1.1) in 2 Gy fractions. Morbidity data (CTCAE v3.0) consisted of two alternative late grade 2 rectal bleeding endpoints: Medical Grade2A (GR2A) and procedural Grade2B (GR2B), as well as late grade 3 + urinary morbidity. GR2A + 2B were observed in 156/1047 patients (15%), GR2B in 45/1047 patients (4%), and urinary grade 3 + in 51/1151 patients (4%). LKB NTCP model parameters (D50, m, and n) were derived by maximum likelihood estimation. Results For the rectum/rectal wall the volume parameter n was low (0.07–0.14) for both GR2A + 2B and GR2B, as was the m parameter (range: 0.16–0.20). For the bladder/bladder wall both parameters were high (n-range: 0.20–0.36; m-range: 0.32–0.36). D50 parameters were higher for GR2B of the rectum/rectal wall (95.9–98.0 Gy) and bladder/bladder wall (118.1–119.9 Gy), but lower for GR2A2B (71.7–73.6 Gy). Conclusion PT specific LKB NTCP model parameters were derived from a population of more than 1000 patients. The D50 parameter differed for all structures and endpoints and deviated from typical photon-based LKB model values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Pedersen
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital/Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Curtis Bryant
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Nancy Mendenhall
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Zuofeng Li
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Ludvig P Muren
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital/Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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34
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Moore JW, Woolley TE, Hopewell JW, Jones B. Further development of spinal cord retreatment dose estimation: including radiotherapy with protons and light ions. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:1657-1666. [PMID: 34524068 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1981554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A graphical user interface (GUI) was developed to aid in the assessment of changes in the radiation tolerance of spinal cord/similar central nervous system tissues with time between two individual treatment courses. METHODS The GUI allows any combination of photons, protons (or ions) to be used as the initial, or retreatment, radiotherapy courses. Allowances for clinical circumstances, of reduced tolerance, can also be made. The radiobiological model was published previously and has been incorporated with additional checks and safety features, to be as safe to use as possible. The proton option includes use of a fixed RBE of 1.1 (set as the default), or a variable RBE, the latter depending on the proton linear energy transfer (LET) for organs at risk. This second LET-based approach can also be used for ions, by changing the LET parameters. RESULTS GUI screenshots are used to show the input and output parameters for different clinical situations used in worked examples. The results from the GUI are in agreement with manual calculations, but the results are now rapidly available without tedious and error-prone manual computations. The software outputs provide a maximum dose limit boundary, which should not be exceeded. Clinicians may also choose to further lower the number of treatment fractions, whilst using the same dose per fraction (or conversely a lower dose per fraction but with the same number of fractions) in order to achieve the intended clinical benefit as safely as possible. CONCLUSIONS The new GUI will allow scientific-based estimations of time related radiation tolerance changes in the spinal cord and similar central nervous tissues (optic chiasm, brainstem), which can be used to guide the choice of retreatment dose fractionation schedules, with either photons, protons or ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W Moore
- Cardiff School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - Bleddyn Jones
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Gray Laboratory, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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35
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Cunningham C, de Kock M, Engelbrecht M, Miles X, Slabbert J, Vandevoorde C. Radiosensitization Effect of Gold Nanoparticles in Proton Therapy. Front Public Health 2021; 9:699822. [PMID: 34395371 PMCID: PMC8358148 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.699822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of proton therapy facilities and the clinical usage of high energy proton beams for cancer treatment has substantially increased over the last decade. This is mainly due to the superior dose distribution of proton beams resulting in a reduction of side effects and a lower integral dose compared to conventional X-ray radiotherapy. More recently, the usage of metallic nanoparticles as radiosensitizers to enhance radiotherapy is receiving growing attention. While this strategy was originally intended for X-ray radiotherapy, there is currently a small number of experimental studies indicating promising results for proton therapy. However, most of these studies used low proton energies, which are less applicable to clinical practice; and very small gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Therefore, this proof of principle study evaluates the radiosensitization effect of larger AuNPs in combination with a 200 MeV proton beam. CHO-K1 cells were exposed to a concentration of 10 μg/ml of 50 nm AuNPs for 4 hours before irradiation with a clinical proton beam at NRF iThemba LABS. AuNP internalization was confirmed by inductively coupled mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy, showing a random distribution of AuNPs throughout the cytoplasm of the cells and even some close localization to the nuclear membrane. The combined exposure to AuNPs and protons resulted in an increase in cell killing, which was 27.1% at 2 Gy and 43.8% at 6 Gy, compared to proton irradiation alone, illustrating the radiosensitizing potential of AuNPs. Additionally, cells were irradiated at different positions along the proton depth-dose curve to investigate the LET-dependence of AuNP radiosensitization. An increase in cytogenetic damage was observed at all depths for the combined treatment compared to protons alone, but no incremental increase with LET could be determined. In conclusion, this study confirms the potential of 50 nm AuNPs to increase the therapeutic efficacy of proton therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charnay Cunningham
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Maryna de Kock
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Monique Engelbrecht
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Xanthene Miles
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Slabbert
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charlot Vandevoorde
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Nuclear Medicine Department, iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
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36
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Li X, Ding X, Zheng W, Liu G, Janssens G, Souris K, Barragán-Montero AM, Yan D, Stevens C, Kabolizadeh P. Linear Energy Transfer Incorporated Spot-Scanning Proton Arc Therapy Optimization: A Feasibility Study. Front Oncol 2021; 11:698537. [PMID: 34327139 PMCID: PMC8313436 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.698537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To integrate dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) into spot-scanning proton arc therapy (SPArc) optimization and to explore its feasibility and potential clinical benefits. Methods An open-source proton planning platform (OpenREGGUI) has been modified to incorporate LETd into optimization for both SPArc and multi-beam intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment planning. SPArc and multi-beam IMPT plans with different beam configurations for a prostate patient were generated to investigate the feasibility of LETd-based optimization using SPArc in terms of spatial LETd distribution and plan delivery efficiency. One liver and one brain case were studied to further evaluate the advantages of SPArc over multi-beam IMPT. Results With similar dose distributions, the efficacy of spatially optimizing LETd distributions improves with increasing number of beams. Compared with multi-beam IMPT plans, SPArc plans show substantial improvement in LETd distributions while maintaining similar delivery efficiency. Specifically, for the liver case, the average LETd in the GTV was increased by 124% for the SPArc plan, and only 9.6% for the 2-beam IMPT plan compared with the 2-beam non-LETd optimized IMPT plan. In case of LET optimization for the brain case, the SPArc plan could effectively increase the average LETd in the CTV and decrease the values in the critical structures while smaller improvement was observed in 3-beam IMPT plans. Conclusion This work demonstrates the feasibility and significant advantages of using SPArc for LETd-based optimization, which could maximize the LETd distribution wherever is desired inside the target and averts the high LETd away from the adjacent critical organs-at-risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Xuanfeng Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Weili Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States.,Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guillaume Janssens
- Advanced Technology Group, Ion Beam Applications SA, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Kevin Souris
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Experimental Radiotherapy, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ana M Barragán-Montero
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Experimental Radiotherapy, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Di Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Craig Stevens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Peyman Kabolizadeh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, United States
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37
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Yu NY, Khurana A, Ma DJ, Neben-Wittich MA, Golafshar MA, McGee LA, Rwigema JCM, Foote RL, Patel SH. Initial Experience with Proton Beam Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Int J Part Ther 2021; 8:311-318. [PMID: 34285957 PMCID: PMC8270099 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-d-20-00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose External beam radiotherapy is used in a subset of high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Recurrent, radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory DTC carries a poor prognosis. We report our initial experience of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for recurrent, RAI-refractory DTC. Patients and Methods Fourteen patients with recurrent, RAI-refractory DTC were consecutively treated with IMPT from November 2016 to March 2020 at our multisite institution. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were recorded. Overall survival and local-regional recurrence-free survival were recorded and estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Acute and late treatment-related toxicities were recorded based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Head and Neck Module at baseline and after IMPT. Eleven patients were included in the final analysis. Results Median follow-up was 8 months (range, 3-40) for all patients. Median age at treatment with IMPT was 64 years (range, 40-77), and the majority were men (64%). Recurrent histologies included papillary (55%), Hurthle cell (36%), and poorly differentiated (9%) carcinoma; 1 patient had tall cell variant. Concurrent chemotherapy was not administered for any patient in this cohort. At 8 months, all patients were alive without local-regional failure. Acute grade 3 toxicities were limited to 1 patient with dysphagia, requiring feeding tube placement. Two patients experienced late grade 3 esophageal stenosis requiring dilation. There were no grade 4 or 5 toxicities. There were no differences in pretreatment versus posttreatment patient-reported outcomes in terms of dysphagia or hoarseness. Conclusion In our early experience, IMPT provided promising local-regional control for recurrent, RAI-refractory DTC. Further study is warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of IMPT in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Y Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Aditya Khurana
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel J Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Lisa A McGee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | - Robert L Foote
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Samir H Patel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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38
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Deng W, Yang Y, Liu C, Bues M, Mohan R, Wong WW, Foote RH, Patel SH, Liu W. A Critical Review of LET-Based Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy Plan Evaluation and Optimization for Head and Neck Cancer Management. Int J Part Ther 2021; 8:36-49. [PMID: 34285934 PMCID: PMC8270082 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-20-00049.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review article, we review the 3 important aspects of linear-energy-transfer (LET) in intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for head and neck (H&N) cancer management. Accurate LET calculation methods are essential for LET-guided plan evaluation and optimization, which can be calculated either by analytical methods or by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Recently, some new 3D analytical approaches to calculate LET accurately and efficiently have been proposed. On the other hand, several fast MC codes have also been developed to speed up the MC simulation by simplifying nonessential physics models and/or using the graphics processor unit (GPU)–acceleration approach. Some concepts related to LET are also briefly summarized including (1) dose-weighted versus fluence-weighted LET; (2) restricted versus unrestricted LET; and (3) microdosimetry versus macrodosimetry. LET-guided plan evaluation has been clinically done in some proton centers. Recently, more and more studies using patient outcomes as the biological endpoint have shown a positive correlation between high LET and adverse events sites, indicating the importance of LET-guided plan evaluation in proton clinics. Various LET-guided plan optimization methods have been proposed to generate proton plans to achieve biologically optimized IMPT plans. Different optimization frameworks were used, including 2-step optimization, 1-step optimization, and worst-case robust optimization. They either indirectly or directly optimize the LET distribution in patients while trying to maintain the same dose distribution and plan robustness. It is important to consider the impact of uncertainties in LET-guided optimization (ie, LET-guided robust optimization) in IMPT, since IMPT is sensitive to uncertainties including both the dose and LET distributions. We believe that the advancement of the LET-guided plan evaluation and optimization will help us exploit the unique biological characteristics of proton beams to improve the therapeutic ratio of IMPT to treat H&N and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Yunze Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Chenbin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Martin Bues
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Radhe Mohan
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - William W Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Robert H Foote
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Samir H Patel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Engeseth GM, He R, Mirkovic D, Yepes P, Mohamed ASR, Stieb S, Fuller CD, Wu R, Zhang X, Hysing LB, Pettersen HES, Stokkevåg CH, Mohan R, Frank SJ, Gunn GB. Mixed Effect Modeling of Dose and Linear Energy Transfer Correlations With Brain Image Changes After Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy for Skull Base Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 111:684-692. [PMID: 34153379 PMCID: PMC8855940 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) could yield high linear energy transfer (LET) in critical structures and increased biological effect. For head and neck cancers at the skull base this could potentially result in radiation-associated brain image change (RAIC). The purpose of the current study was to investigate voxel-wise dose and LET correlations with RAIC after IMPT. Methods and Materials: For 15 patients with RAIC after IMPT, contrast enhancement observed on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was contoured and coregistered to the planning computed tomography. Monte Carlo calculated dose and dose-averaged LET (LETd) distributions were extracted at voxel level and associations with RAIC were modelled using uni- and multivariate mixed effect logistic regression. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and precision-recall curve. Results: An overall statistically significant RAIC association with dose and LETd was found in both the uni- and multivariate analysis. Patient heterogeneity was considerable, with standard deviation of the random effects of 1.81 (1.30–2.72) for dose and 2.68 (1.93–4.93) for LETd, respectively. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93 and 0.95 for the univariate dose-response model and multivariate model, respectively. Analysis of the LETd effect demonstrated increased risk of RAIC with increasing LETd for the majority of patients. Estimated probability of RAIC with LETd = 1 keV/μm was 4% (95% confidence interval, 0%, 0.44%) and 29% (95% confidence interval, 0.01%, 0.92%) for 60 and 70 Gy, respectively. The TD15 were estimated to be 63.6 and 50.1 Gy with LETd equal to 2 and 5 keV/μm, respectively. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the LETd effect could be of clinical significance for some patients; LETd assessment in clinical treatment plans should therefore be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grete May Engeseth
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas; Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Bergen, Norway; The University of Bergen, Department of Clinical Science, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Renjie He
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
| | - Dragan Mirkovic
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Physics, Houston, Texas
| | - Pablo Yepes
- Rice University, Physics and Astronomy Department, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Sonja Stieb
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
| | - Clifton Dave Fuller
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
| | - Richard Wu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiadong Zhang
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
| | - Liv Bolstad Hysing
- Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Bergen, Norway; The University of Bergen, Department of Physics and Technology, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Camilla Hanquist Stokkevåg
- Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Bergen, Norway; The University of Bergen, Department of Physics and Technology, Bergen, Norway
| | - Radhe Mohan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Physics, Houston, Texas
| | - Steven Jay Frank
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
| | - Gary Brandon Gunn
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston, Texas
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Musielak M, Suchorska WM, Fundowicz M, Milecki P, Malicki J. Future Perspectives of Proton Therapy in Minimizing the Toxicity of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11050410. [PMID: 34068305 PMCID: PMC8153289 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11050410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of radiotherapy is a key issue when analyzing the eligibility criteria for patients with breast cancer. In order to obtain better results, proton therapy is proposed because of the more favorable distribution of the dose in the patient’s body compared with photon radiotherapy. Scientific groups have conducted extensive research into the improved efficacy and lower toxicity of proton therapy for breast cancer. Unfortunately, there is no complete insight into the potential reasons and prospects for avoiding undesirable results. Cardiotoxicity is considered challenging; however, researchers have not presented any realistic prospects for preventing them. We compared the clinical evidence collected over the last 20 years, providing the rationale for the consideration of proton therapy as an effective solution to reduce cardiotoxicity. We analyzed the parameters of the dose distribution (mean dose, Dmax, V5, and V20) in organs at risk, such as the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, using the following two irradiation techniques: whole breast irradiation and accelerated partial breast irradiation. Moreover, we presented the possible causes of side effects, taking into account biological and technical issues. Finally, we collected potential improvements in higher quality predictions of toxic cardiac effects, like biomarkers, and model-based approaches to give the full background of this complex issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Musielak
- Electro-Radiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (W.M.S.); (P.M.); (J.M.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-505372290
| | - Wiktoria M. Suchorska
- Electro-Radiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (W.M.S.); (P.M.); (J.M.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Milecki
- Electro-Radiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (W.M.S.); (P.M.); (J.M.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Radiotherapy Ward I, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Julian Malicki
- Electro-Radiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (W.M.S.); (P.M.); (J.M.)
- Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Medical Physics Department, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
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41
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Wilson LJ, Pirlepesov F, Moskvin V, Li Z, Guo Y, Li Y, Merchant TE, Faught AM. Proton therapy delivery method affects dose-averaged linear energy transfer in patients. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66. [PMID: 33607632 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abe835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The dosimetric advantages of proton therapy have led to its rapid proliferation in recent decades. This has been accompanied by a shift in technology from older units that deliver protons by passive scattering (PS) to newer units that increasingly use pencil-beam scanning (PBS). The biologic effectiveness of proton physical dose purportedly rises with increasing dose-weighted average linear energy transfer (LETD). The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which proton delivery methods affect LETD. We calculated LETDfrom simple, dosimetrically matched, and clinical treatment plans with TOPAS Monte-Carlo transport code. Simple treatment plans comprised single fields of PS and PBS protons in a water phantom. We performed simulations of matched and clinical treatment plans by using the treatment and anatomic data obtained from a cohort of children with craniopharyngioma who previously received PS or PBS proton therapy. We compared the distributions of LETDfrom PS and PBS delivery methods in clinically relevant ROIs. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests comparing single fields in water revealed that the LETDvalues from PBS were significantly greater than those from PS inside and outside the targeted volume (p < 0.01). Statistical tests comparing LETD-volume histograms from matched and clinical treatment plans showed that LETDwas generally greater for PBS treatment plans than for PS treatment plans (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the proton delivery method affects LETDboth inside and outside of the target volume. These findings suggest that PBS is more biologically effective than PS. Given the rapid expansion of PBS proton therapy, future studies are needed to confirm the applicability of treatment evaluation methods developed for PS proton therapy to those for modern PBS treatments to ensure their safety and effectiveness for the growing population of patients receiving proton therapy. This study uses data from two clinical trials: NCT01419067 and NCT02792582.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia J Wilson
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Fakhriddin Pirlepesov
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Vadim Moskvin
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Zuofeng Li
- University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Yian Guo
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Biostatistics, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Yimei Li
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Biostatistics, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Austin M Faught
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memphis, TN, United States of America
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Verhaegen F, Wanders RG, Wolfs C, Eekers D. Considerations for shoot-through FLASH proton therapy. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66:06NT01. [PMID: 33571981 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abe55a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To discuss several pertinent issues related to shoot-through FLASH proton therapy based on an illustrative case. METHODS We argue that with the advent of FLASH proton radiotherapy and due to the issues associated with conventional proton radiotherapy regarding the uncertainties of positioning of the Bragg peaks, the difficulties of in vivo verification of the dose distribution, the use of treatment margins and the uncertainties surrounding linear energy transfer (LET) and relative biological effectiveness (RBE), a special mode of shoot-through FLASH proton radiotherapy should be investigated. In shoot-through FLASH, the proton beams have sufficient energy to reach the distal exit side of the patient. Due to the FLASH sparing effect of normal tissues at both the proximal and distal side of tumors, radiotherapy plans can be developed that meet current planning constraints and issues regarding RBE can be avoided. RESULTS A preliminary proton plan for a neurological tumor in close proximity to various organs at risk (OAR) with strict dose constraints was studied. A plan with four beams mostly met the constraints for the OAR, using a treatment planning system that was not optimized for this novel treatment modality. When new treatment planning algorithms would be developed for shoot-through FLASH, constraints would be easier to meet. The shoot-through FLASH plan led to a significant effective dose reduction in large parts of the healthy tissue. The plan had no uncertainties associated to Bragg peak positioning, needed in principle no large proximal or distal margins and LET increases near the Bragg peak became irrelevant. CONCLUSION Shoot-through FLASH proton radiotherapy may be an interesting treatment modality to explore further. It would remove some of the current sources of uncertainty in proton radiotherapy. An additional advantage could be that portal dosimetry may be possible with beams penetrating the patient and impinging on a distally placed imaging detector, potentially leading to a practical treatment verification method. With current proton accelerator technology, trials could be conducted for neurological, head&neck and thoracic cancers. For abdominal and pelvic cancer a higher proton energy would be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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43
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Paganetti H, Beltran C, Both S, Dong L, Flanz J, Furutani K, Grassberger C, Grosshans DR, Knopf AC, Langendijk JA, Nystrom H, Parodi K, Raaymakers BW, Richter C, Sawakuchi GO, Schippers M, Shaitelman SF, Teo BKK, Unkelbach J, Wohlfahrt P, Lomax T. Roadmap: proton therapy physics and biology. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abcd16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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44
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Setianegara J, Mazur TR, Yang D, Li HH. Dual-storage phosphor proton therapy dosimetry: Simultaneous quantification of dose and linear energy transfer. Med Phys 2021; 48:1941-1955. [PMID: 33525050 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility of using the high Zeff storage phosphor material BaFBrI:Eu2+ in conjunction with the low Zeff storage phosphor material KCl:Eu2+ for simultaneous proton dose and linear energy transfer (LET) measurements by (a) measuring the fundamental optical and dosimetric properties of BaFBrI:Eu2+ , (b) evaluating its compatibility in being readout simultaneously with KCl:Eu2+ dosimeters, and (c) modeling and validating its LET dependence under elevated proton LET irradiation. METHODS A commercial BaFBrI:Eu2+ storage phosphor detector (Model ST-VI, Fujifilm) was characterized with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis to obtain its elemental composition. The dosimeters were irradiated using both a Mevion S250 proton therapy unit (at the center of a spread-out Bragg peak, SOBP) and a Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator with the latter being a low LET irradiation. The photostimulated luminescence (PSL) emission spectra, excitation spectra, and luminescent lifetimes of the detector were measured after proton and photon irradiations. Dosimetric properties including dose linearity, dose rate dependence, radiation hardness, temporal, and readout stabilities were studied using a laboratory optical reader after proton irradiations. In addition, its proton energy dependence was analytically modeled and experimentally validated by irradiating the detectors at various depths within the SOBP (Range: 15.0 g/cm2 , Modulation: 10.0 g/cm2 ). RESULTS The active detector composition for the high Zeff storage phosphor detector was found to be BaFBr0.85 I0.15 :Eu2+ . The BaFBr0.85 I0.15 :Eu2+ material's excitation and emission spectra were in agreement under proton and photon irradiations, with peaks of 586 ± 1 nm and 400 ± 1 nm, respectively, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 119 ± 3 nm and 30 ± 2 nm, respectively. As dosimeter response under photon irradiation is generally believed to be free from LET effect, these results suggest LET independence of charge storage center types resulted from ionizing radiations. There is sufficient spectral overlaps with KCl:Eu2+ dosimeters allowing both dosimeters to be readout under equivalent readout conditions, that is, 594 nm stimulation and 420 nm detection wavelengths. Its PSL characteristic lifetime was found to be less than 5 microseconds which would make it suitable for fast 2D readout post irradiation. Its 420 nm emission band intensity was found to be linear up to 10 Gy absolute proton dose under the same irradiation conditions, dose rate independent, stable in time and under multiple readouts, and with high radiation hardness under cumulative proton dose histories up to 200 Gy as tested in this study. BaFBr0.85 I0.15 :Eu2+ showed significant proton energy-dependent dose under-response in regions of high LET which could be modeled by stopping power ratio calculations with an accuracy of 3% in low LET regions and a distance-to-agreement (DTA) of 1 mm in high LET regions (>5 keV/μm). CONCLUSION We have proven the feasibility of dual-storage phosphor proton dosimetry for simultaneous proton dose and LET measurements. BaFBr0.85 I0.15 :Eu2+ has shown equally excellent dosimetry performance as its low Zeff complement KCl:Eu2+ with distinctive LET dependence merely as a result of its higher Zeff . These promising results pave the way for future studies involving simultaneous proton dose and LET measurements using this novel approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jufri Setianegara
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Thomas R Mazur
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Deshan Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - H Harold Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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45
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McConnell KA, Chang C, Giebeler A, Liu L, Zhu Qu L, Moiseenko V. Double-strand breaks measured along a 160 MeV proton Bragg curve using a novel FIESTA-DNA probe in a cell-free environment. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66:054001. [PMID: 33470972 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abdd89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Proton radiotherapy treatment planning systems use a constant relative biological effectiveness (RBE) = 1.1 to convert proton absorbed dose into biologically equivalent high-energy photon dose. This method ignores linear energy transfer (LET) distributions, and RBE is known to change as a function of LET. Variable RBE approaches have been proposed for proton planning optimization. Experimental validation of models underlying these approaches is a pre-requisite for their clinical implementation. This validation has to probe every level in the evolution of radiation-induced biological damage leading to cell death, starting from DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Using a novel FIESTA-DNA probe, we measured the probability of double-strand break (P DSB) along a 160 MeV proton Bragg curve at two dose levels (30 and 60 Gy (RBE)) and compared it to measurements in a 6 MV photon beam. A machined setup that held an Advanced Markus parallel plate chamber for proton dose verification alongside the probes was fabricated. Each sample set consisted of five 10 μl probes suspended inside plastic microcapillary tubes. These were irradiated with protons to 30 Gy (RBE) at depths of 5-17.5 cm and 60 Gy (RBE) at depths of 10-17.2 cm with 1 mm resolution around Bragg peak. Sample sets were also irradiated using 6MV photons to 20, 40, 60, and 80 Gy. For the 30 Gy (RBE) measurements, increases in P DSB/Gy were observed at 17.0 cm followed by decreases at larger depth. For the 60 Gy (RBE) measurements, no increase in P DSB/Gy was observed, but there was a decrease after 17.0 cm. Dose-response for P DSB between 30 and 60 Gy (RBE) showed less than doubling of P DSB when dose was doubled. Proton RBE effect from DSB, RBEP,DSB, was <1 except at the Bragg peak. The experiment showed that the novel probe can be used to perform DNA DSB measurements in a proton beam. To establish relevance to clinical environment, further investigation of the probe's chemical scavenging needs to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A McConnell
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America. California Proton Cancer Therapy Center, San Diego, CA 92121, United States of America
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Chiniforoush TA, Hadadi A, Kasesaz Y, Sardjono Y. Evaluation of effectiveness of equivalent dose during proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) for brain cancer: A Monte Carlo study. Appl Radiat Isot 2021; 170:109596. [PMID: 33548811 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently it has been suggested that the presence of boron-11 during proton therapy leads to a significant dose increasement in the BUR. Three high-LET alpha particles with an average energy of 4 MeV are generated at the point of interaction between proton and boron-11. Nevertheless, the cross-section of p+B11→3α interaction is negligible and dose increasement is unlikely. The purpose of this study is dose evaluation of the proton therapy with and without the boron-11. All simulations were performed using MCNPX 2.6.0 code at the Snyder head phantom. At the elderly stage, the range of Bragg-peaks was adapted to the tumor volume, with and without boron-11. Then, the different concentrations of boron-11 were assumed including 65,500,103,105,2.5×105 and 5×105ppm in the tumor region. To investigate the maximum effectiveness of PBFT (proton boron fusion therapy), the entire tumor was assumed full of boron-11, and the dose components were calculated. Consequently, In the best case, the maximum dose amplification was less than 5%, in which the entire tumor was assumed full boron-11. The total number of alpha particles generated from p+B11→3α interaction is negligible. As well as the presence of boron-11 during the proton therapy makes that the Bragg-peaks happen in greater depth. Hence, from the Monte Carlo standpoint, the effectiveness of the proton boron fusion therapy is not related to the alpha particles because the dose component of alpha particles is negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayebeh A Chiniforoush
- Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asghar Hadadi
- Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yaser Kasesaz
- Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Yohannes Sardjono
- Center for Science and Technology Accelerator, National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia, Indonesia
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Wang L, Fossati P, Paganetti H, Ma L, Gillison M, Myers JN, Hug E, Frank SJ. The Biological Basis for Enhanced Effects of Proton Radiation Therapy Relative to Photon Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Part Ther 2021; 8:3-13. [PMID: 34285931 PMCID: PMC8270087 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-20-00070.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) often present as local-regionally advanced disease at diagnosis, for which a current standard of care is x-ray-based radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy. This approach provides effective local regional tumor control, but at the cost of acute and late toxicity that can worsen quality of life and contribute to mortality. For patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in particular, for whom the prognosis is generally favorable, de-escalation of the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues without diminishing the radiation dose to tumors is desired to mitigate radiation-related toxic effects. Proton radiation therapy (PRT) may be an excellent de-escalation strategy because of its physical properties (that eliminate unnecessary radiation to surrounding tissues) and because of its biological properties (including tumor-specific variations in relative biological effectiveness [RBE] and linear energy transfer [LET]), in combination with concurrent systemic therapy. Early clinical evidence has shown that compared with x-ray-based radiation therapy, PRT offers comparable disease control with fewer and less severe treatment-related toxicities that can worsen the quality of life for patients with HNSCC. Herein, we review aspects of the biological basis of enhanced HNSCC cell response to proton versus x-ray irradiation in terms of radiation-induced gene and protein expression, DNA damage and repair, cell death, tumor immune responses, and radiosensitization of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Piero Fossati
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
| | - Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maura Gillison
- Department of Thoracic-Head & Neck Med Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey N. Myers
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eugen Hug
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
| | - Steven J. Frank
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Bertolet A, Cortés-Giraldo M, Carabe-Fernandez A. Implementation of the microdosimetric kinetic model using analytical microdosimetry in a treatment planning system for proton therapy. Phys Med 2021; 81:69-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Embriaco A, Attili A, Bellinzona EV, Dong Y, Grzanka L, Mattei I, Muraro S, Scifoni E, Tommasino F, Valle SM, Battistoni G. FLUKA simulation of target fragmentation in proton therapy. Phys Med 2020; 80:342-346. [PMID: 33271390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In proton therapy, secondary fragments are created in nuclear interactions of the beam with the target nuclei. The secondary fragments have low kinetic energies and high atomic numbers as compared to primary protons. Fragments have a high LET and deposit all their energy close to the generation point. For their characteristics, secondary fragments can alter the dose distribution and lead to an increase of RBE for the same delivered physical dose. Moreover, the radiobiological impact of target fragmentation is significant mostly in the region before the Bragg peak, where generally healthy tissues are present, and immediately after Bragg peak. Considering the high biological impact of those particles, especially in the case of healthy tissues or organs at risk, the inclusion of target fragmentation processes in the dose calculation of a treatment planning system can be relevant to improve the treatment accuracy and for this reason it is one of the major tasks of the MoVe IT project. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations were employed to fully characterize the mixed radiation field generated by target fragmentation in proton therapy. The dose averaged LET has been evaluated in case of a Spread Out Bragg Peak (SOBP). Starting from LET distribution, RBE has been evaluated with two different phenomenological models. In order to characterize the mixed radiation field, the production cross section has been evaluated by means of the FLUKA code. The future development of present work is to generate a MC database of fragments fluence to be included in TPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Embriaco
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Italy.
| | - A Attili
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Roma Tre, Italy
| | - E V Bellinzona
- Universitá degli studi di Trento, Italy; TIFPA Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Application, Italy
| | - Y Dong
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Italy; Universitá degli studi di Milano, Italy
| | - L Grzanka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kraków, Poland
| | - I Mattei
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Italy
| | - S Muraro
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Italy
| | - E Scifoni
- TIFPA Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Application, Italy
| | - F Tommasino
- Universitá degli studi di Trento, Italy; TIFPA Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Application, Italy
| | - S M Valle
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Italy
| | - G Battistoni
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Italy; TIFPA Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Application, Italy
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Bertolet A, Carabe-Fernandez A. Clinical implications of variable relative biological effectiveness in proton therapy for prostate cancer. Acta Oncol 2020; 59:1171-1177. [PMID: 32427011 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2020.1762928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the potential consequences of differences in the evaluation of variable versus uniform relative biological effectiveness calculations in proton radiotherapy for prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIAL Experimental data with proton beams suggest that relative biological effectiveness increases with linear energy transfer. This relation also depends on the α / β ratio, characteristic of a tissue and a considered endpoint. Three phenomenological models (Carabe et al., Wedenberg et al. and McNamara et al.) are compared to a mechanistic model based on microdosimetry (microdosimetric kinetic model) and to the current assumption of uniform relative biological effectiveness equal to 1.1 in a prostate case. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Phenomenological models clearly predict higher relative biological effectiveness values compared to microdosimetric kinetic model, that seems to approach to the constant value of 1.1 adopted in the clinics, at least for low linear energy transfer values achieved in typical prostate proton plans. All models predict a higher increase of the relative biological effectiveness-weighted dose for the prostate tumor than for the rest of structures involved due to its lower α / β ratio, even when linear energy transfer is, in general, lower in the tumor than on the surroundings tissues. Prostate cancer is, therefore, a good candidate to take advantage of variable relative biological effectiveness, especially if linear energy transfer is enhanced within the tumor. However, the discrepancies among models hinder the clinical implementation of variable relative biological effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Bertolet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A. Carabe-Fernandez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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