AI tools to improve checks of radiation therapy plans

Development of AI-Augmented quality assurance tools for radiation therapy

['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11289312

Using artificial intelligence to speed up and strengthen safety checks of radiation treatment plans for people getting external beam radiotherapy.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11289312 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project will build AI (deep learning) tools that automatically check radiation treatment plans before you are treated. The tools will read the planned machine settings (like multileaf collimator shapes and monitor units) and predict the 3‑D dose on your treatment CT to look for mismatches or errors. The system will also cross‑check by translating predicted dose back into machine parameters to catch inconsistencies. The goal is a faster, more reliable QA step that could fit into routine clinic workflows.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People receiving external beam radiation therapy (especially IMRT/VMAT) at participating clinics, whose treatment plans and imaging can be reviewed, would be the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients not receiving external beam photon therapy (for example those only receiving brachytherapy or other non‑photon treatments) may not benefit from these specific tools.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could make radiation therapy safer and less prone to delays by catching planning or delivery problems earlier and reducing manual QA work.

How similar studies have performed: Some AI methods have shown promise for parts of radiation QA, but this project’s combined machine‑parameter and 3‑D dose cycle‑consistency approach is a novel, first‑of‑its‑kind effort.

Where this research is happening

STANFORD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.