‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning

Introduction To investigate the efficacy of a knowledge-based planning (KBP) model in optimizing dose distribution, and identify the inter-institutional variation in radiotherapy of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). Methods A total of 70 rNPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiot...

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Main Authors: Xiaoli Yu MD, Yixuan Wang MD, Mingli Wang MD, Huikuan Gu MD, Xin Yang PhD, Jiang Hu MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-06-01
Series:Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338251351535
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author Xiaoli Yu MD
Yixuan Wang MD
Mingli Wang MD
Huikuan Gu MD
Xin Yang PhD
Jiang Hu MD
author_facet Xiaoli Yu MD
Yixuan Wang MD
Mingli Wang MD
Huikuan Gu MD
Xin Yang PhD
Jiang Hu MD
author_sort Xiaoli Yu MD
collection DOAJ
description Introduction To investigate the efficacy of a knowledge-based planning (KBP) model in optimizing dose distribution, and identify the inter-institutional variation in radiotherapy of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). Methods A total of 70 rNPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were recruited to build a KBP model. Following model refinement, 36 patients were retrospectively enrolled for dosimetric comparison between manually optimized and KBP-generated plans. Ten experienced physicists from six different institutions were engaged to independently design manual plan for a representative case, to assess inter-institutional variations, and differences between KBP and manual plans. Results The refined KBP model provided significant reduced dose in brainstem D 1cc (the dose received by the “hottest”1 cm 3 volume, 41.14 ± 8.51 Gy vs 38.48 ± 8.60 Gy, P  < 0.001) and spinal cord D 1cc (17.48 ± 9.38Gy vs 12.23 ± 6.56Gy, P  < 0.001). In addition, The mean dose (D mean) of brainstem, spinal cord, mandible, parotid, temporomandibular joint and inner ear were statistically decreased ( P  < 0.05). In validation cohort, KBP model eliminated the hotspot (0.57 ± 0.01% vs 0.00 ± 0.00%, P  < 0.001), improved target homogeneity (HI: 0.06 ± 0.00 vs 0.08 ± 0.00, P  < 0.001), and performed superior to the manual plans in sparing organs. While all institutions achieved comparable target coverage, manual plans exhibited substantial variability in sparing brainstem. KBP implementation reduced inter-institutional dose disparities for brainstem (46.30 ± 10.08 Gy vs 41.80 ± 5.80 Gy, P  = 0.041) and spinal cord (26.08 ± 7.06 Gy vs 18.19 ± 1.98 Gy, P  = 0.002). Additionally, planning efficiency increased by 48.7% (39 vs 76 min). Conclusions This KBP framework optimized rNPC reirradiation from three dimensions: 1) Enhanced OARs’ protection; 2) Improved target homogeneity; 3) Improved the multi-institutional consistency and efficiency of planning. These advancements established a clinically actionable paradigm for precision reirradiation.
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series Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
spelling doaj-art-b40cf3aadbc3425089fffc87201932162025-08-20T03:31:07ZengSAGE PublishingTechnology in Cancer Research & Treatment1533-03382025-06-012410.1177/15330338251351535‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based PlanningXiaoli Yu MD0Yixuan Wang MD1Mingli Wang MD2Huikuan Gu MD3Xin Yang PhD4Jiang Hu MD5 Department of Radiation Oncology, , Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of ChinaIntroduction To investigate the efficacy of a knowledge-based planning (KBP) model in optimizing dose distribution, and identify the inter-institutional variation in radiotherapy of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). Methods A total of 70 rNPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were recruited to build a KBP model. Following model refinement, 36 patients were retrospectively enrolled for dosimetric comparison between manually optimized and KBP-generated plans. Ten experienced physicists from six different institutions were engaged to independently design manual plan for a representative case, to assess inter-institutional variations, and differences between KBP and manual plans. Results The refined KBP model provided significant reduced dose in brainstem D 1cc (the dose received by the “hottest”1 cm 3 volume, 41.14 ± 8.51 Gy vs 38.48 ± 8.60 Gy, P  < 0.001) and spinal cord D 1cc (17.48 ± 9.38Gy vs 12.23 ± 6.56Gy, P  < 0.001). In addition, The mean dose (D mean) of brainstem, spinal cord, mandible, parotid, temporomandibular joint and inner ear were statistically decreased ( P  < 0.05). In validation cohort, KBP model eliminated the hotspot (0.57 ± 0.01% vs 0.00 ± 0.00%, P  < 0.001), improved target homogeneity (HI: 0.06 ± 0.00 vs 0.08 ± 0.00, P  < 0.001), and performed superior to the manual plans in sparing organs. While all institutions achieved comparable target coverage, manual plans exhibited substantial variability in sparing brainstem. KBP implementation reduced inter-institutional dose disparities for brainstem (46.30 ± 10.08 Gy vs 41.80 ± 5.80 Gy, P  = 0.041) and spinal cord (26.08 ± 7.06 Gy vs 18.19 ± 1.98 Gy, P  = 0.002). Additionally, planning efficiency increased by 48.7% (39 vs 76 min). Conclusions This KBP framework optimized rNPC reirradiation from three dimensions: 1) Enhanced OARs’ protection; 2) Improved target homogeneity; 3) Improved the multi-institutional consistency and efficiency of planning. These advancements established a clinically actionable paradigm for precision reirradiation.https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338251351535
spellingShingle Xiaoli Yu MD
Yixuan Wang MD
Mingli Wang MD
Huikuan Gu MD
Xin Yang PhD
Jiang Hu MD
‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning
Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
title ‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning
title_full ‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning
title_fullStr ‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning
title_full_unstemmed ‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning
title_short ‘Line’ Constraints Optimization for Improved Dose Distribution in Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Knowledge-Based Planning
title_sort line constraints optimization for improved dose distribution in locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma using knowledge based planning
url https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338251351535
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