Abstract
Background/Aim: This study aimed to develop an improved algorithm for linear energy transfer (LET) estimation in carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) using relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and to establish a clinical pipeline for LET assessment. Materials and Methods: New approximation functions for LET versus RBE were developed for the overkill region. LET estimation performance was examined at two facilities (A and B) using archival- and Monte Carlo simulation-derived LET data, respectively, as a reference. A clinical pipeline for LET assessment was developed using Python and treatment planning systems (TPS). Results: In dataset A, LET estimation accuracy in the overkill region was improved by 80.0%. In dataset B, estimation accuracy was 2.3%±0.67% across 5 data points examined. LET distribution and LET-volume histograms were visualized for multiple CIRT plans. Conclusion: The new algorithm showed a greater LET estimation performance at multiple facilities using the same TPS. A clinical pipeline for LET assessment was established.
- Carbon ion radiotherapy
- linear energy transfer
- estimation
- relative biological effectiveness
- treatment planning
- Received March 18, 2023.
- Revision received May 6, 2023.
- Accepted May 8, 2023.
- Copyright © 2023 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.
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