Technology for Innovation in Radiation Oncology

Abstract

Radiotherapy is an effective, personalized cancer treatment that has benefited from technological advances associated with growing ability to identify and target tumors with accuracy and precision. As these advances have played a central role in the success of radiation therapy as a major component of comprehensive cancer care, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored a workshop entitled “Technology for Innovation in Radiation Oncology”, which took place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, on June 13-14, 2013. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss emerging technology for the field and recognize areas for greater research investment. Expert clinicians and scientists discussed innovative technology in radiation oncology, in particular as to how they are being developed and translated to clinical practice in the face of current and future challenges and opportunities. Technologies encompassed topics in functional imaging, treatment devices, nanotechnology, as well as information technology. The technical, quality, and safety performance of these technologies were also considered. A major theme of the workshop was the growing importance of innovation in the domain of process automation and oncology informatics. The technologically-advanced nature of radiation therapy treatments pre-disposes radiation oncology research teams to take on informatics research initiatives. In addition, the discussion on technology development was balanced with a parallel conversation regarding the need for evidence of efficacy and effectiveness. The linkage between the need for evidence and the efforts in informatics research were clearly identified as synergistic.

Promoting the Appropriate Use of Advanced Radiation Technologies in Oncology: Summary of a National Cancer Policy Forum Workshop

“…Historically, the specialty of radiation oncology experienced major advancement during the past 2 decades, advancing from the era of “2-dimensional” radiation treatment to 3-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation planning and treatment, intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT), image guidance (and the alternative radiation treatment strategies that such technology affords, including hypofractionation), respiratory motion management, magnetic resonance linear accelerator, volumetric arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic ablative radiation therapy, and proton therapy. A previous workshop sponsored by the National Cancer Institute in 2013 highlighted the plethora of emerging technologies in radiation oncology and reviewed the associated challenges in implementing and evaluating new technologies and techniques (17). …”

The role of Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core for precision medicine era of clinical trial

“…Technological advances in RT and imaging have enhanced the ability to identify and target tumors while protecting normal structures during cancer therapy interventions (7). Innovative technology in radiation oncology and imaging are being developed and translated into clinical practice to meet with current and future challenges.…”

Overview of the American Society for Radiation Oncology–National Institutes of Health–American Association of Physicists in Medicine Workshop 2015: Exploring Opportunities for Radiation Oncology in the Era of Big Data

“…This approach has been used in many areas of medicine to address topics such as clinical care and quality assessment (1–3). The need for informatics research in radiation oncology emerged as an important initiative during the 2013 National Institutes of Health (NIH)–National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) workshop on the topic “Technology for Innovation in Radiation Oncology” (4). Our existing clinical practice generates discrete, quantitative, and structured patient-specific data (eg, images, doses, and volumes) that position us well to exploit and participate in big data initiatives.…”