Automated, interactive lab tool to define radiation targets in cancer care
Official title: Automated interactive definition of the clinical target volume in radiation oncology
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11603170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to make it easier and safer to outline the area to treat in radiation therapy for cancers by using smart software and a patient-friendly interface.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 6, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $256,048 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA266275-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11603170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with brain tumors (low-grade glioma) or soft tissue cancers (sarcoma) who are candidates for radiotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not planned for radiotherapy or whose treatment is dictated by non-technical factors may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops an automated system to define the clinical target volume (CTV) in radiotherapy, considering how cancer spreads beyond what is visible. It includes a user-friendly interface so clinicians can review and adjust the automatic suggestions rather than trusting a black box. The approach uses machine learning to map barrier structures and anatomical regions and adapts the 3D target based on likely spread patterns. It focuses on low-grade glioma and sarcoma but is designed to apply to many body sites. The goal is to balance effective tumor control with minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise radiation plans that reduce side effects while improving tumor control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous methods have automated parts of contouring, with ongoing improvements showing promise in accuracy and clinician workflow.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bortfeld, Thomas R. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Bortfeld, Thomas R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Helping young people with cancer understand their genetic risks
This study is creating a special program to help teenagers and young adults with hereditary cancer risks learn about their health and make smart choices, while also supporting their families along the way.
-
Core administrative hub for a multifaceted cancer center program
A large, international cancer research program at Dana-Farber aims to advance a curative strategy for multiple myeloma by coordinating translational research, clinical trials, and data analysis.
-
Cancer Atlas Network data hub to share big cancer data
A national project helps researchers store, harmonize, and share large cancer data collections so doctors and scientists can learn from many patients.
-
Bridge-building cancer research partnership for education, outreach, and science
A joint effort between UMass Boston and Harvard Cancer Consortium to accelerate cancer research and education by connecting lower-resourced institutions with a leading cancer center.
-
NexTGen: Next-Generation T cell therapy for childhood cancers
A charity-friendly overview: researchers at Dana-Farber are developing advanced engineered T-cell therapies to treat pediatric solid cancers like brain tumors and sarcomas.
-
Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology
A team at Dana-Farber and partners is pursuing a long-term project to understand the genetic and molecular drivers of multiple myeloma and how treatments interact with disease biology.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.