The impact of dose rate optimisation and robust optimisation on FLASH proton therapy treatment plan quality and dose rates.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Bragg peak FLASH proton therapy (FLASH-PT) relies on fast dose delivery (≥ 40 Gy/s) to elicit a normal tissue sparing effect. FLASH-PT beam delivery modifications lead to inferior margin-based FLASH-PT treatment plan quality compared to intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT). To achieve ultra-high dose rates to regions of interest, dose rate optimisation may need to be utilised as part of the treatment planning process. This study aims to determine the impact of dose rate optimisation and robust optimisation on FLASH-PT treatment plan quality and achievable dose rates. All FLASH-PT plans are also compared to IMPT plans to determine the clinical applicability of the technique.

Materials and methods

FLASH-PT and IMPT treatment plans were generated for

SUBMITTER: Lovgren N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12757242 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature