Ensemble RBE Modeling in Proton Therapy: A Meta-Synthesis Framework for Dose Assessment in the Brainstem and Spinal Cord.

Shen-Hao Lee, Pei-Ju Chao, Zong-Jun Wu, Jyun-Jie Wu, Junping Shiau, Hsin-Hung Shih, Tsair-Fwu Lee

Abstract readSystematic Review

In one paragraph

Synthesis in Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing 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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shen-Hao LeeMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Pei-Ju ChaoMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Zong-Jun WuMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Jyun-Jie WuMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Junping ShiauMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Hsin-Hung ShihMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Tsair-Fwu LeeMedical Physics and Informatics Laboratory of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-3112-3594

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

IntroductionProton therapy minimizes damage to healthy tissues while effectively targeting tumors. However, uncertainties in relative biological effectiveness (RBE) calculations remain a challenge, particularly for critical organs at risk (OARs), such as the brainstem and spinal cord. This study introduces ensemble RBE models (eRBE-B and eRBE-SC) developed through a meta-synthesis (MS) approach to improve dose accuracy and stability in proton radiotherapy.Materials and MethodsA systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines identified studies utilizing variable RBE models. The MS approach aggregates data on model usage patterns and study quality due to the lack of direct RBE measurements. Three primary models (Carabe, Wedenberg, and McNamara) were weighted on the basis of study quality and case counts to construct ensemble RBE models. Dose calculations and analysis were performed via RayStation 8B, MCsquare, and 3D Slicer.ResultsCompared with the Carabe model, the eRBE-B model resulted in reduced dose underestimation, with mean dose (

Indexed as

Brain StemProton TherapyRelative Biological EffectivenessSpinal CordHumansOrgans at RiskRadiotherapy Dosagebiological dosagehead and neck cancermeta-synthesis (MS)model integrationrelative biological effectiveness (RBE)

Identifiers

PMID40591455

DOI10.1177/10732748251355396

PMCPMC12217569

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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.