[Dose and Radiation Quality Optimized Heavy-Ion Radiotherapy].

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Charged-particle beam effectiveness relies on both dose and radiation quality.
• Linear Energy Transfer (LET) is a key metric for radiation quality in biological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate Intensity Modulated composite Particle Therapy (IMPACT), a novel technique for charged-particle therapy.
• To demonstrate IMPACT's capability in simultaneously optimizing dose and LET distributions for improved treatment planning.

Main Methods:

• Developed an IMPACT plan using helium, carbon, oxygen, and neon ions for a prostate cancer case.
• Simulated treatment delivery to assess dose and LET distribution control in target and organs at risk.

Main Results:

• Achieved uniform 2 Gy dose to the planning target volume (PTV) for the prostate case.
• Successfully adjusted LET to 80 keV/μm in the prostate, 50 keV/μm in the PTV, and below 30 keV/μm in the rectum.

Conclusions:

• IMPACT enables precise optimization of both dose and LET distributions in clinical scenarios.
• This technique expands the therapeutic window for charged-particle therapy, maximizing its clinical potential.