Dose-LET Volume Histogram to Improve Safe Proton Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer
Official title: Dose Linear Energy Transfer Volume Histogram and Dosimetric Seed Spot Analysis in Spot Scanning Proton Therapy
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11380816 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic study will develop a new tool to map dose and LET in spot-scanning proton therapy to reduce severe side effects for head and neck patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $547,325 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA280134-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380816 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients receiving spot-scanning proton therapy for head and neck cancers, where brain or jaw/bone structures are at risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing SSPT or not at risk for related adverse events may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a dose-LET volume histogram (DLVH) to visualize how energy deposition and biology-related effects (LET) relate to treatment targets and nearby tissues. By linking these measurements with patient outcomes, the team aims to establish dose-LET volume constraints that minimize adverse events like brain necrosis and osteoradionecrosis. The work uses advanced imaging and 3D representations to compare traditional dose planning with LET-informed planning, with follow-up scans to track safety signals. Results could guide safer SSPT delivery and more personalized treatment planning for head and neck cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive safer proton therapy with fewer severe side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar approaches in dose distribution and LET-informed planning show promise, but this DLHV tool is a novel integration for clinical decision support.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Wei — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Liu, Wei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Intelligent and Personalized Online Adaptive Proton Therapy
A new, AI-powered online system aims to tailor proton therapy in real time for patients with cancers near vital organs, to reduce side effects and improve outcomes.
-
Efficient AI-Driven Image Guidance for Upright Lung Proton Therapy
A patient-focused AI-powered system helps guide upright proton therapy for lung cancer to improve accuracy and accessibility.
-
3D in vivo dosimetry for FLASH proton therapy
A new protoacoustic dosimeter will help doctors precisely measure dose delivery in proton FLASH therapy for adults with cancer.
-
AI-guided proton therapy that adapts during treatment for head and neck cancer
Using AI to build 3D images from routine X-rays so proton therapy can be updated during treatment for people with head and neck cancer.
-
Real-time guided proton radiation for more precise liver tumor treatment
Trying a proton radiation approach that tracks liver tumors in real time to treat people with liver cancer more precisely while protecting healthy liver tissue.
-
Compact upright proton therapy for much faster treatments
This project builds a smaller proton therapy beam-delivery system so people with cancer—especially children and those with moving tumors—can get treatments in seconds instead of minutes.
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.