RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Prediction and Monitoring of Adaptive Radiation Therapy Timing Using Two-dimensional X-ray Image-based Water Equivalent Thickness JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 387 OP 397 DO 10.21873/anticanres.17427 VO 45 IS 1 A1 HIROTAKI, KOUTA A1 MORIYA, SHUNSUKE A1 TOMIZAWA, KENTO A1 WAKABAYASHI, MASASHI A1 MOTEGI, ATSUSHI A1 ITO, MASASHI A1 SAKAE, TAKEJI YR 2025 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/45/1/387.abstract AB Background/Aim: This study aimed to predict the optimal timing for adaptive radiation therapy (ART) using two-dimensional X-ray image-based water equivalent thickness (2DWET). Patients and Methods: Forty patients with oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer underwent Computed Tomography (CT) rescanning during treatment. An adaptive score (AS) was proposed to guide ART decisions based on changes in four dose indices: target coverage, spinal cord dose, parotid gland dose, and over-dose volume. Delivered dose distributions were reviewed by two head and neck radiation oncologists, with ART requirement evaluated using a four-point scale. Logistic regression determined the AS cutoff, while receiver operating characteristic analysis assessed 2DWET as a predictor of ART timing. Results: The AS strongly correlated with the oncologists’ ART decisions (Pearson coefficients of 0.74 and 0.64). An AS cutoff of 7.5 optimally indicated ART requirement, matching oncologist decisions with sensitivities of 79.2% and 89.5%, and specificities of 87.5% and 81.0%, respectively. The 2DWET method identified the AS threshold of 7.5 with sensitivity and specificity of 63.2% and 81.0%. Conclusion: An AS of 7.5 was highly indicative of ART timing, aligning well with oncologists’ decisions, and 2DWET demonstrated potential as a low-exposure, efficient tool for predicting ART timing in patients with oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.