Linear-Quadratic Model May Simplify High-Dose Radiosurgery Planning

U.S. radiation oncologists may have solved the problem by developing a new mathematical model that encompasses all dose levels.

Typically, radiation therapy for cancer is administered in daily, low doses spread over many weeks. Oncologists frequently calculate the schedules for these fractionated, low-dose treatment courses using a mathematical model called the linear-quadratic (LQ) model. The same calculation model is used to assess radiation response, interpret clinical data, and guide clinical trials. "Unfortunately the LQ Model doesn't work well for high-dose radiation therapy,” stated coauthor Dr. Nina Mayr, professor of radiation oncology at the the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James; Columbus, USA). "Our study resolves this problem by modifying the current method to develop the Generalized LQ [gLQ] model that covers all dose levels and schedules.”

If confirmed clinically, the Generalized gLQ Model could guide the planning of dose and schedules needed for the newer radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy and high-dose brachytherapy procedures that are increasingly used for cancer patients, Dr. Mayr stated. "Developing proper radiation dose schedules for these promising high-dose treatments is very challenging,” Dr. Mayr said. "Typically, it involves phase I dose-finding studies and a long, cumbersome process that allows only gradual progression from the preclinical and clinical trial stages to broader clinical practice.”

The new gLQ model could allow oncologists to design radiation dose schedules more effectively, help researchers conduct clinical trials for specific cancers faster, and make these high-dose therapies available to cancer patients much sooner, according to Dr. Mayr.

Fractionated low-dose therapy causes cumulative damage to tumor cells during the many weeks of exposure, while causing nominal damage to hardier normal cells. Patients, however, must return repeatedly to the hospital for many weeks to complete their treatment. High-dose therapy has become possible because of advances in computer and radiation technology. It uses multiple beams of radiation that conform tightly to a tumor's shape. They converge on the cancer to deliver higher total radiation levels, while sparing normal tissues. This kills more tumor cells per treatment, so far fewer treatments are needed overall.

The new study, published July 7, 2010, in the journal Science Translational Medicine, evaluated the gLQ model in cell and animal models, and is expected to be evaluated soon in clinical trials. "Our Generalized LQ model determines appropriate radiation levels across the entire wide spectrum of doses, from low and high, and from many to very few treatments, which is a new approach,” Dr. Mayr concluded.

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Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute