Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40657664›Full record

ArticleJournal of applied clinical medical physics2025

Enhancing proton therapy quality assurance with custom-designed Octopoint phantom and Gafchromic film.

Xueyan Tang, Chris J Beltran, Keith M Furutani, Graham S Gilson, Jon Gustafson, Michael G Herman, Shima Ito, Jed E Johnson, Jon J Kruse, Kenneth M Long and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of applied clinical medical physics, 2025. 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. Review
  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

16 authors.

Xueyan TangDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Chris J BeltranDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Keith M FurutaniDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6794-2540
Graham S GilsonDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Jon GustafsonDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Michael G HermanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Shima ItoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Jed E JohnsonDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6550-8006
Jon J KruseDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Kenneth M LongDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Daniel W MundyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Nicholas B RemmesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Ali M TassonDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3187-8273
Thomas J WhitakerDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0557-6805
Witold MatysiakDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Erik J TryggestadDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundProton therapy offers precise tumor targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, making it especially valuable for treating tumors near critical organs and in pediatric patients. However, its success depends on accurate beam delivery, requiring rigorous quality assurance (QA) to maintain treatment precision and effectiveness. PURPOSE: This study aims to standardize the measurement of key aspects of proton therapy delivery, such as gantry and couch isocentricity, spot position accuracy, and spot size consistency. The goal is to enhance the delivery accuracy of proton therapy across various clinical settings, improving patient outcomes.

methodsThe QA framework uses the Octopoint phantom, Gafchromic film, and spot position monitor (SPM) log data to evaluate proton beam isocentricity, spot position, and spot size. The Octopoint phantom, made from acrylic, was used with Gafchromic films at various gantry and couch angles to measure isocentricity. MATLAB tools were used to analyze spot positions, and SPM logs provided verification. Sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the system's response to intentional shifts and errors, ensuring alignment with clinical QA standards.

resultsThe Octopoint phantom's stepwise two-dimensional (2D) fitting process, validated against film-measured dose profiles, accurately identified beam and ball bearing (BB) centroid locations. Isocentricity tests conducted over 8 months across four gantries demonstrated consistent beam-to-BB radial offsets. The phantom showed excellent repeatability, with a maximum standard deviation of 0.1 mm across various couch-gantry combinations. Sensitivity testing across all axes revealed a strong alignment between intended shifts and measured values. Over the course of a year, film measurements tracked spot position and size consistency, with deviations remaining within acceptable clinical limits. Comparisons with SPM data further confirmed the system's reliability in maintaining beam accuracy across different gantry angles and energy levels.

conclusionsThis study presents a reliable QA framework for ensuring precision in proton therapy delivery. By combining the Octopoint phantom, Gafchromic film analysis, and SPM log file evaluation, we effectively measured isocentricity, spot position accuracy, and spot size stability. The framework demonstrated adaptability across various clinical QA tasks, enhancing the accuracy and safety of proton therapy treatments.

Indexed as

Film DosimetryNeoplasmsPhantoms, ImagingProton TherapyQuality Assurance, Health CareRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedHumansRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy, Intensity-ModulatedIsocentricityquality assurancespot scanning proton therapy

Identifiers

PMID40657664
PMCPMC12257349

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LicenceCC BY
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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.