Optical and dosimetric technologies for radiation therapy

加拿大的终生癌症发病率估计为40%。由于大约一半的癌症患者将接受放射治疗(RT)，治疗效果的改善将对大量患者产生积极影响。这项建议概述了放射治疗研究的两个主要领域，以解决放射治疗生物学和技术方面基本知识的长期瓶颈：(I)利用光学技术深入了解和监测对辐射的生物反应；(Ii)开发和应用放射治疗中使用的辐射测量工具。 拉曼光谱用于了解和监测RT中的生物反应 导言：我的团队已经开发出能够在临床相关的时间范围内观察细胞辐射损伤的光学技术。该实验系统目前的一个局限性是需要较长的数据收集时间和获取相对较少的数据量所需的特定于用户的专业知识。 目标：(I)利用我们现有的系统和小样本流体流动通道(微流体)开发一种自动数据收集系统。(2)开发先进的数据分析技术，以便从AIM(一)开发的系统中提取信息。 影响：目前，RT处方是基于先前的人群结果，对个别患者的辐射反应考虑最少。目前还没有公认的方法来了解放射治疗过程中患者个体的生物反应或监测治疗效果。具有先进数据分析能力的自动化数据收集系统将为了解患者个体生物反应和监测放射治疗过程中的治疗效果铺平道路，使肿瘤学家能够根据治疗进展调整辐射剂量。 3D辐射剂量仪的研制 简介：聚合物凝胶剂量计(PGD)是一种很有前途的3D剂量测量工具，有望为RT提供方面的进一步创新带来革命性的变化。然而，PGD还没有完全开发出来用于临床。 目的：(1)建立一套准确、可靠的三维辐射剂量学研究系统。(Ii)将该系统应用于完整的患者放疗过程验证和新剂量计算算法的验证。 影响：目前放射治疗的复杂性已经超过了3D剂量测量仪器的发展，从而限制了放射治疗的进一步创新。由于该技术提供了丰富的剂量信息，因此PGD是一种有吸引力的3D剂量测量技术。建立一个强大的PGD系统对于使该工具能够在临床上被接受至关重要。这项工作将极大地影响对目前提供的3D辐射剂量的理解，从而使下一代放射治疗的开发成为可能。

Lifetime cancer incidence rates in Canada are estimated at 40%. As approximately one half of all cancer patients will receive radiation therapy (RT), improvements in treatment efficacy will positively impact a large number of patients. This proposal outlines two main areas of RT research that address persistent bottlenecks in basic knowledge in biological and technical aspects of RT: (i) the use of optical techniques for developing a deep understanding and monitoring of biological response to radiation and (ii) development and application of radiation measurement tools for use in RT. RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY FOR UNDERSTANDING AND MONITORING BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN RT INTRODUCTION: My group has developed optical technologies capable of observing radiation damage in cells over clinically relevant timeframes. A current limitation of the experimental system is the long data collection times and user-specific expertise required to acquire a relatively small amount of data. OBJECTIVES: (i) To develop an automated data collection system utilizing our current system and small-sample fluid flow channels (microfluidics). (ii) To develop advanced data analysis techniques for information extraction from the system developed in aim (i).  IMPACT: RT prescriptions are currently based on prior population outcomes, with minimal consideration given to individual patient radiation response. There exist no accepted methods for understanding individual patient biological response or in monitoring of the efficacy of treatment during the course of RT. An automated data collection system with advanced data analysis capabilities will pave the path towards understanding individual patient biological response and in the monitoring of treatment efficacy during the course of RT, enabling oncologists to tune radiation dose based on treatment progression. 3D RADIATION DOSIMETER DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION: Polymer gel dosimeters (PGD) are a promising tool for 3D dose measurement and stand to revolutionize further innovations in RT delivery. However, PGD have not been fully developed for clinical use.   OBJECTIVES: (i) To establish an accurate and robust PGD system for further research in 3D radiation dosimetry. (ii) To apply the system to full patient RT process verification and to the verification of novel dose calculation algorithms.  IMPACT: The current complexity in RT delivery has outpaced the development of 3D dose measurement instrumentation, thus limiting further innovation in RT delivery. PGD is an attractive 3D dosimetry technique due to the wealth of dosimetric information afforded by the technique.  Establishing a robust PGD system is critical for enabling clinical acceptance of this tool. This work stands to significantly impact the understanding of currently delivered 3D radiation doses, thus enabling the next generation of RT treatment development.