Particle Beam Therapy for Cardiac-Sparing Radiotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Radiation therapy plays an integral role in the treatment of all stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Survival outcomes are improving, but radiation therapy remains associated with long-term toxicity. Recently, it has become evident that the heart is an important organ at risk for treatment-related morbidity. In this review, we discuss the hypothesis that particle radiation therapy offers superior dosimetry compared with photon-based treatment, and that this comparative advantage translates into clinically meaningful cardiac toxicity reduction with similar local tumor control. We discuss the evidence in non-small cell lung cancer to date, the ongoing prospective trials that may provide additional insight, and the opportunities to optimally integrate particle therapy into future prospective investigation.