Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34780973›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics2022

The Value of On-Site Proton Audits.

Paige A Taylor, Jessica Lowenstein, David Followill, Stephen F Kry

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Paige A TaylorThe University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: pataylor@mdanderson.org.
Jessica LowensteinThe University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
David FollowillThe University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Stephen F KryThe University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Funding

IROC: Enhancing local enrolling site radiological data capture capabilities for NCTN trialsU24CA180803 · NCI · AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY · PI Thomas J. FitzGerald, MICHAEL V KNOPP · 2014 to 2026
$116.2M
RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS CENTERU10CA010953 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · PI FOLLOWILL, DAVID S · 1985 to 2013
$34.5M
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY QA CENTERU24CA081647 · NCI · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · PI MICHALSKI, JEFF M. · 1999 to 2013
$22.8M
PROTON THERAPY RESEARCH AND TREATMENT CENTERC06CA059267 · NCI · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI GOITEIN, MICHAEL · 1992 to 1995
–
NCI NIH HHS C06 CA059267NCI NIH HHS U10 CA010953NCI NIH HHS U24 CA081647NCI NIH HHS U24 CA180803
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study aimed to highlight the value and key findings of on-site proton audits. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The authors performed 38 on-site measurement-based peer reviews of proton centers participating in National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials. The reviews covered beam calibration, lateral and depth measurements, mechanical checks, treatment planning and clinical practice, and quality assurance (QA) practices. Program deficiencies were noted, and recommendations were made about ways institutions could improve their practices.

resultsInstitutions received an average of 3 (range, 1-8) recommendations for practice improvements. The number of deficiencies did not decrease over time, highlighting the continued need for this type of peer review. The most common deficiencies were for Task Group-recommended QA compliance (97% of centers), computed tomography number (CTN) to relative linear stopping power conversion (59%), and QA procedures (53%). In addition, 32% of institutions assessed failed at least 1 lateral beam profile measurement (<90% of pixels passing 3% [global]/3 mm; 10% threshold), despite passing internal QA measurements. These failures occurred for several different plan configurations (large, small, shallow, and deep targets) and at different depths in the beam path (proximal to target, central, and distal). CTN to relative linear stopping power conversion curves showed deviations at low, mid, and high CTNs and highlighted areas of inconsistency between proton centers, with many centers falling outside of 2 sigma of the mean curve of their peers. All deficiencies from the peer review were discussed with the institutions, and many implemented dosimetric treatment planning and practice changes to improve the accuracy of their system and consistency with other institutions.

conclusionsThis peer review program has been integral in confirming and promoting consistency and best practice across proton centers for clinical trials, minimizing deviations for outcomes data.

Indexed as

Clinical AuditProton TherapyQuality Assurance, Health CareCalibrationHumansNational Cancer Institute (U.S.)RadiometryRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedUnited States

Identifiers

PMID34780973
PMCPMC8863623

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.