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Range-compensated pencil beam scanning proton Arc therapy: a feasibility study.
Blake R Smith1, Ryan T Flynn2, Alonso N Gutiérrez3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. blake-smith@uiowa.edu.
Communications Engineering
|July 31, 2025
Summary
A novel SpeleoFilter device enhances proton arc therapy efficiency for improved cancer treatment. This method reduces beam parameters while maintaining plan quality and sparing healthy tissues, offering a promising alternative to traditional intensity modulated proton therapy.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Proton arc therapy combines geometric and dosimetric advantages of proton beams for enhanced tissue sparing.
- Current proton arc therapy delivery methods require optimization for clinical efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a SpeleoFilter device for efficient pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton arc therapy.
- To assess the SpeleoFilter's impact on treatment efficiency and plan quality compared to traditional intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT).
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of a SpeleoFilter framework integrated with a PBS collimator and IBA Dedicated Nozzle system.
- Utilized Monte Carlo simulations validated against experimental measurements for depth dose profiles.
- Evaluated treatment plans using phantom and patient datasets.
Main Results:
- SpeleoFilter demonstrated excellent agreement with experimental measurements (1-2%/1 mm gamma criteria).
- Proton arc therapy with SpeleoFilter achieved comparable healthy tissue sparing to IMPT.
- A significant reduction (order of magnitude) in energy layers was observed compared to IMPT.
Conclusions:
- The SpeleoFilter offers an efficient approach to proton arc therapy delivery.
- This method preserves plan quality while substantially reducing treatment complexity.
- Further research is needed for broad clinical integration across various treatment sites.
