Personalized online adaptive proton therapy for cancer treatment
Official title: Intelligent and Personalized Online Adaptive Proton Therapy
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11159734 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make proton therapy for cancer patients even better by using smart technology that adjusts treatment plans on the spot, helping to ensure that the radiation hits the right spot even if your body changes during treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $541,122 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033512-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159734 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing proton therapy, especially those with tumors located near critical organs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving proton therapy or those with tumors that do not require adaptive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving proton therapy for cancer patients by using advanced artificial intelligence to adapt treatment plans in real-time. It addresses the challenges posed by anatomical changes during treatment, such as tumor shrinkage and patient weight loss, which can affect the accuracy of radiation delivery. By developing an online adaptive proton therapy system, the goal is to minimize treatment interruptions and enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy, particularly for patients with tumors near critical organs. The approach aims to streamline the workflow, making it less resource-intensive and more responsive to changes in patient anatomy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer radiation treatments for cancer patients, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using adaptive techniques in radiation therapy, but this specific approach utilizing real-time AI adaptation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Xiaofeng — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Yang, Xiaofeng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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Dose-LET Volume Histogram to Improve Safe Proton Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer
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.
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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.
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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.
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.