In this project we will explore highly innovative planning and delivery strategies to optimally utilize the powerful dose shaping capabilities of IMPT. The theoretical advantage of proton therapy compared to photon therapy is due to the reduced integral dose (dose bath) and the finite range. The added potential of IMPT compared to IMRT derives from the additional degree of freedom, i.e. the beamlet energy. However, to realize the true potential of IMPT, considerable further research is needed.
The specific aims of this project focus on different aspects that influence the power of IMPT: Robust optimization of the dose distributions to reduce their sensitivity to uncertainties, biological dose optimization, personalized treatment optimization, and finally, hypofractionation facilitated via the reduced dose bath achievable with IMPT. This project supports the mission of the NCI to improve the treatment and continuing care of cancer patients.

Public Health Relevance

This research aims to improve radiation treatment for cancer patients by improving our ability to direct the radiation at the tumor to spare adjacent normal tissue by using protons (charged particles) with intensity-modulated proton therapy. This can potentially improve cancer cure rates, reduce side effects, or both, depending on the clinical scenario. With an increasing number of proton centers in the United States and abroad, the research in this program project is increasingly important for public health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
5U19CA021239-36
Application #
8940366
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1)
Program Officer
Vikram, Bhadrasain
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2015-09-01
Budget End
2016-08-31
Support Year
36
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Guan, Fada; Geng, Changran; Ma, Duo et al. (2018) RBE Model-Based Biological Dose Optimization for Proton Radiobiology Studies. Int J Part Ther 5:160-171
Liao, Zhongxing; Simone 2nd, Charles B (2018) Particle therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res 7:141-152
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Liao, Zhongxing; Lee, J Jack; Komaki, Ritsuko et al. (2018) Bayesian Adaptive Randomization Trial of Passive Scattering Proton Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Photon Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Clin Oncol 36:1813-1822
Yepes, Pablo; Adair, Antony; Grosshans, David et al. (2018) Comparison of Monte Carlo and analytical dose computations for intensity modulated proton therapy. Phys Med Biol 63:045003
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Vassiliev, Oleg N; Kry, Stephen F; Grosshans, David R et al. (2018) Average stopping powers for electron and photon sources for radiobiological modeling and microdosimetric applications. Phys Med Biol 63:055007
Paganetti, Harald (2018) Proton Relative Biological Effectiveness - Uncertainties and Opportunities. Int J Part Ther 5:2-14

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