Improved Algorithm for Estimation of Linear Energy Transfer in Carbon Ion Radiotherapy Plans

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to develop an improved algorithm for linear energy transfer (LET) estimation in carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) using relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and to establish a clinical pipeline for LET assessment.

Materials and methods: New approximation functions for LET versus RBE were developed for the overkill region. LET estimation performance was examined at two facilities (A and B) using archival- and Monte Carlo simulation-derived LET data, respectively, as a reference. A clinical pipeline for LET assessment was developed using Python and treatment planning systems (TPS).

Results: In dataset A, LET estimation accuracy in the overkill region was improved by 80.0%. In dataset B, estimation accuracy was 2.3%±0.67% across 5 data points examined. LET distribution and LET-volume histograms were visualized for multiple CIRT plans.

Conclusion: The new algorithm showed a greater LET estimation performance at multiple facilities using the same TPS. A clinical pipeline for LET assessment was established.

Keywords: Carbon ion radiotherapy; estimation; linear energy transfer; relative biological effectiveness; treatment planning.