Proton therapy needs further technological development to fulfill the promise of becoming a superior treatment modality (compared to photon therapy)

Daniel E Hyer; Xuanfeng Ding; Yi Rong

doi:10.1002/acm2.13450

Back

Proton therapy needs further technological development to fulfill the promise of becoming a superior treatment modality (compared to photon therapy)

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Proton therapy needs further technological development to fulfill the promise of becoming a superior treatment modality (compared to photon therapy)

Daniel E Hyer, Xuanfeng Ding and Yi Rong

Journal of applied clinical medical physics, Vol.22(11), pp.4-11

11/2021

DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13450

PMCID: PMC8598137

PMID: 34730268

Files and links (1)

url

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8598137View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Introduction There has been an ongoing debate over the superiority of proton beam therapy versus photon beam therapy for more than two decades. 1 , 2 , 3 Proton versus photon has been just like two ends of a seesaw, one gaining superiority over the other as technologies advances during these years. Even though we are all familiar with the distinct benefit of the proton “Bragg Peak” for reducing exit dose compared to photon beams, there has never been a definitive answer as to which modality is superior. Additionally, Level I evidence demonstrating measurable clinical advantage of proton therapy is lacking. Superiority can be defined in two different aspects, the technology aspect and the clinical aspect. Technological superiority may or may not lead to superior clinical outcomes. From a physicist's point of view, it is safe to say that we would not see clinical outcome improvements if there is no clear advancement in the technology aspect. Yet in recent years, several major multicenter, prospective, randomized phase III trials comparing the two modalities have been initiated. 4 , 5 One might wonder, with the recent technology development in intensity‐modulated proton therapy based on pencil beam scanning, robustness optimization, etc., is proton therapy mature enough to enter such a level of clinical trials? In other words, do we have confidence that proton therapy is a superior treatment modality that should lead to positive improvement in clinical outcomes? Herein, Dr. Daniel Hyer argues for the proposition “Proton therapy needs further technological development to fulfill the promise of becoming a superior treatment modality (compared to photon therapy),” while Dr. Xuanfeng Ding arguing against it.

Humans

Photons

Proton Therapy

Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted

Details

Title: Subtitle: Proton therapy needs further technological development to fulfill the promise of becoming a superior treatment modality (compared to photon therapy)
Creators: Daniel E Hyer - University of Iowa
Xuanfeng Ding - Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Park, Michigan, USA.
Yi Rong - Department of Radiation Oncology Mayo Clinic Arizona Phoenix Arizona USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of applied clinical medical physics, Vol.22(11), pp.4-11
DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13450
PMID: 34730268
PMCID: PMC8598137
NLM abbreviation: J Appl Clin Med Phys
ISSN: 1526-9914
eISSN: 1526-9914
Grant note: R37 CA226518 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 11/2021
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Radiation Oncology
Record Identifier: 9984313074802771

Metrics

27 Record Views

8 Times Cited - Web of Science