title: On biologically conformal boost dose optimization.
abstract: A method is described that allows the inclusion of biological imaging data in the optimization of intensity-modulated radiotherapy to produce dose boosts that conform with target subvolumes of potentially reduced radiosensitivity. The biological image (e.g. PET, fMRI, etc) is transformed into a dose efficiency distribution using a piecewise linear calibration function with a prescribed maximum boost factor. Instead of dose alone, the cost function of the optimization algorithm depends on the product of the physical dose times dose efficiency. An example case of a base-of-tongue tumour which was imaged with the hypoxia tracer fluoro-misonidazole is presented, showing the excellent capability of IMRT to produce dose distributions that conform to spatially variable dose prescriptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics. University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alber
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Eschmann
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Machulla
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008920:Misonidazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011786:Quality Control; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: C031843:fluoromisonidazole; D008920:Misonidazole